Vanilloid receptor ligand compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a method of producing them and the use thereof to treat pain and various other conditions

ABSTRACT

Compounds corresponding to formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     which act as vanilloid receptor ligands, pharmaceutical composition s containing such compounds, a method for producing the compounds, and the use of such compounds to treat pain and various other conditions.

The present invention relates to novel vanilloid receptor ligands, tomethods for producing them, to medicaments containing these compoundsand to the use of these compounds for the production of medicaments.

The treatment of pain, in particular neuropathic pain, is of greatmedical significance. There is a worldwide need for effective paintreatments. The urgency of the requirement for effective therapeuticmethods for providing tailored and targeted treatment of chronic andnon-chronic pain, this being taken to mean pain treatment which iseffective and satisfactory from the patient's standpoint, is alsoevident from the large number of scientific papers relating to appliedanalgesia and to basic nociception research which have appeared inrecent times.

One suitable approach to the treatment of pain, in particular of painselected from the group consisting of acute pain, chronic pain,neuropathic pain and visceral pain, particularly preferably ofneuropathic pain, is the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1/TRPV1), whichis often also known as the capsaicin receptor. This receptor isstimulated inter alia by vanilloids such as for example capsaicin, heatand protons and plays a central role in the genesis of pain. It isfurthermore of significance to numerous other physiological andpathophysiological processes, such as for example migraine; depression;neurodegenerative diseases; cognitive disorders; anxiety states;epilepsy; coughing; diarrhoea; pruritus; inflammation; disorders of thecardiovascular system; disorders of food intake; dependency onmedicines; abuse of medicines and in particular urinary incontinence.

One object of the present invention was accordingly to provide novelcompounds which are suitable in particular as pharmacological activeingredients in medicaments, preferably in medicaments for the treatmentof disorders or diseases which are mediated at least in part byvanilloid receptors 1 (VR1/TRPV1 receptors).

It has surprisingly now been found that the substituted compounds of thegeneral formula I stated below display excellent affinity for thevanilloid receptor of the subtype 1 (VR1/TRPV1 receptor) and aretherefore suitable in particular for the prevention and/or treatment ofdisorders or diseases which are mediated at least in part by vanilloidreceptors 1 (VR1/TRPV1). Likewise the substituted compounds of thegeneral formula I stated below exhibit antiinflammatory activity.

The present invention accordingly provides substituted compounds of thegeneral formula I

in which

-   X denotes O, S or N—C≡N;-   n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;-   R¹, R², R³ and R⁴, mutually independently, in each case denote H; F;    Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;    —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²;    —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵; —C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷; —S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸;    —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —C(═O)—R²²; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴ or    denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted    or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R⁵ denotes —NH₂; —NHR²⁵; —NR²⁶R²⁷ or denotes a linear or branched,    saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted    aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a linear or branched, saturated or    unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic    C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R⁷ and R⁸, mutually independently, in each case denote a hydrogen    residue;    -   denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   denote an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or        C₂₋₆ alkynylene group;    -   or denote an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered        cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one        heteroatom as a ring member;        providing that R⁷ and R⁸ do not in each case denote a hydrogen        residue;        or-   R⁷ and R⁸ in each case together with the carbon atom joining them    together as a ring member form a saturated or unsaturated,    unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered    cycloaliphatic residue;-   T denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes N and W denotes    C—R³²    or-   T denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes N and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes    C—R³²    or-   T denotes N and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes    C—R³²    or-   T denotes N and U denotes N and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes C—R³²    or-   T denotes N and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes N and W denotes C—R³²    or-   T denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes N and V denotes N and W denotes C—R³²    or-   T denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes C—R³¹ and W    denotes C—R³²;-   R⁹ denotes F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CF₃; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH;    —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H;    —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵;    —C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷; —S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸; —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹;    —C(═O)—R²²; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴;    -   denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   or denotes an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or at        least monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered        cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one        heteroatom as a ring member;-   R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³    and R²⁴, mutually independently, in each case    -   denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   denote an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered        cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one        heteroatom as a ring member, which residue may be fused with a        saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered        heteroalkylene group;    -   or denote an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered        heteroalkylene group;-   R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷, mutually independently, in each case denote a    linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at    least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R²⁸ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,    unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹, mutually independently, in each case denote H; F;    Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CF₃; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂;    —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰;    —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵; —C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷; —S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸;    —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —C(═O)—R²²; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴;    -   denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   or denote an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or        C₂₋₆ alkynylene group;-   R³² denotes H; F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CF₃; —CF₂Cl; —CN; —NH₂;    —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH;    —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR³³; —NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶; —SR³⁷; —C(═O)—NHR³⁸;    —C(═O)—NR³⁹R⁴⁰; —S(═O)₂—NHR⁴¹; —S(═O)₂—NR⁴²R⁴³; —C(═O)—OR⁴⁴;    —C(═O)—R⁴⁵; —S(═O)—R⁴⁶; —S(═O)₂—R⁴⁷; —C(═NH)—NH₂; —C(═NH)—NH—R⁴⁸;    —N═C(NH₂)₂; —N═C(NHR⁴⁹)(NHR⁵⁰);    -   denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   denotes an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered        cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one        heteroatom as a ring member, which residue is in each case        attached to the parent structure via a carbon atom in the ring        of the cycloaliphatic residue and may be fused with a saturated        or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted mono-        or polycyclic ring system and/or be attached via a linear or        branched, unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C₁₋₆        alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or C₂₋₆ alkynylene        group;    -   or denotes an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or        C₂₋₆ alkynylene group;-   R³³, R³⁴, R³⁵, R³⁶, R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹, R⁴⁰, R⁴¹, R⁴², R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵,    R⁴⁶, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁸, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰, mutually independently, in each case    -   denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,        unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀        residue;    -   denote an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered        cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one        heteroatom as a ring member, which residue may be fused with a        saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered        heteroalkylene group;    -   or denote an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered        heteroalkylene group;        or-   R³⁴ and R³⁵ in each case together with the nitrogen atom joining    them together as a ring member form a saturated or unsaturated or    unsubstituted heterocycloaliphatic residue or a 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-    or 9-membered heterocycloaliphatic residue substituted with 1, 2, 3,    4 or 5 residues R⁵¹ and optionally comprising at least one further    heteroatom as a ring member, which heterocycloaliphatic residue may    be fused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least    monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system;-   R⁵¹ denotes —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or denotes a linear or branched,    saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted    aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;-   R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴, mutually independently, in each case denote    —C(═O)—R⁵⁵; denote a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,    unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;    -   or denote an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted 5- to        14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with        a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be        attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted or at least        monosubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or        C₂₋₆ alkynylene group;        and-   R⁵⁵ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,    unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue;    in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomers    thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racemates    thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular    the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio,    or in each case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case    in the form of corresponding solvates;    wherein    the above-stated aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residues may optionally in each    case be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 substituents    mutually independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl,    Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —O(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —S(C₁₋₅-alkyl),    —NH(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —O—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O-phenyl, phenyl, —OCF₃ and —SCF₃;    the above-stated 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylene groups, C₁₋₆    alkylene groups and C₂₋₆ alkenylene groups and C₂₋₆ alkynylene    groups may optionally in each case be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4,    5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 substituents mutually independently selected from    the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH,    —O(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —S(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —NH(C₁₋₅-alkyl),    —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —OCF₃ and —SCF₃;    the above-stated heteroalkylene groups may in each case optionally    comprise 1, 2 or 3 heteroatom(s) mutually independently selected    from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen (NH) as    chain link(s);    the above-stated (hetero)cycloaliphatic residues may optionally in    each case be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually    independently selected from the group consisting of    —C₁₋₆-alkylene-OH, ═CH₂, —O—C₁₋₅-alkylene-oxetanyl,    —C₁₋₅-alkylene-O—C₁₋₅-alkylene-oxetanyl, —CH₂—NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —CH₂—N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —N[—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl]-phenyl,    —CH₂—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃,    —SF₅, —OH, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,    —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C₁₋₅ alkyl, —C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂,    —NH-phenyl, —N(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)-phenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl,    (4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl,    thiophenyl, phenethyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, —(CH₂)-pyridinyl,    pyridinyl, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein in each    case the cyclic moiety of the residues oxetanyl,    (4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl,    thiophenyl, phenethyl, —N[—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl]-phenyl, —NH-phenyl,    —N(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)-phenyl, —(CH₂)-pyridinyl, pyridinyl, —O-phenyl,    —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5    substituents mutually independently selected from the group    consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂, —C₁₋₅ alkyl,    —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl,    and unless otherwise stated the above-stated (hetero)cycloaliphatic    residues may in each case optionally comprise 1, 2 or 3 (further)    heteroatom(s) mutually independently selected from the group    consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur;    the rings of the above-stated mono- or polycyclic ring systems may    in each case optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5    substituents mutually independently selected from the group    consisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,    —OH, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —C₁₋₅ alkyl, —C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and    benzyl, wherein in each case the cyclic moiety of the residues    —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl may be substituted with 1,    2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the    group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂,    —C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl,    and the rings of the above-stated mono- or polycyclic ring systems    are in each case 5-, 6- or 7-membered and may in each case    optionally comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 heteroatom(s) as ring member(s),    which are mutually independently selected from the group consisting    of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur;    and the above-stated aryl or heteroaryl residues may optionally in    each case be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually    independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I,    —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃,    —SH, —S—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —NH—S(═O)₂—C₁₋₅-alkyl,    —NH—C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—NH₂,    —C(═O)—NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—N—(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl,    phenyl and benzyl, wherein in each case the cyclic moiety of the    residues —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl may be substituted    with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected    from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂,    —C₁₋₅ alkyl, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl,    and    the above-stated heteroaryl residues may in each case optionally    comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 heteroatom(s) mutually independently    selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur as    ring member(s).

The term “heteroalkylene” denotes an alkylene chain in which one or moreC atoms have in each case been replaced by a heteroatom mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur andnitrogen (NH). Heteroalkylene groups may preferably comprise 1, 2 or 3heteroatom(s), particularly preferably one heteroatom, mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur andnitrogen (NH) as chain link(s). Heteroalkylene groups may preferably be2- to 6-membered, particularly preferably 2- or 3-membered.

Examples which may be mentioned of heteroalkylene groups are—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—C H(CH₃)—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)—O—, —(CH₂)₂—O—,—(CH₂)₃—O—, —(CH₂)₄—O—, —O—(CH₂)—, —O—(CH₂)₂—, —O—(CH₂)₃—, —O—(CH₂)₄—,—C(C₂H₅)(H)—O—, —O—C(C₂H₅)(H)—, —CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—S—CH₂—, —CH₂—NH—CH₂—,—CH₂—NH— and —CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₂—CH₂.

If one or more of the above-stated substituents comprise a linear orbranched C₁₋₆ alkylene group, this may preferably be selected from thegroup consisting of —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂—, —C(H)(CH₃)—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—,—(CH₂)₅—, —C(H)(C(H)(CH₃)₂)- and —C(C₂H₅)(H)—.

Saturated or unsaturated C₁₋₁₀ aliphatic residues may denote a —C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl or C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl residue. C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl residuescomprise at least one, preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4 C—C double bonds andC₂₋₁₀ alkynyl residues comprise at least one, preferably 1, 2 3 or 4 C—Ctriple bonds.

Preferred C₁₋₁₀ alkyl residues are those selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-methyl-but-1-yl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl,sec.-pentyl, neopentyl, 4-methyl-pent-1-yl, (3,3)-dimethyl-but-1-yl,n-hexyl, n-heptyl, 2-heptyl, 3-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl,2-nonyl, 3-nonyl, 4-nonyl, 5-nonyl and (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, whichmay optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof —O-phenyl, —O—C(═O)—CH₃, —O—C(═O)—C₂H₅, —O—C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —O—CH₃,—O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —OCF₃ and —SCF₃.

Likewise preferred C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl residues are those selected from thegroup consisting of vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl,3-butenyl, 2-methyl-propen-1-yl, 3-methyl-but-2-en-1-yl,(3,3)-dimethyl-but-1-enyl, 2-methyl-buten-2-yl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl,3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 1-heptenyl and 1-octenyl, which mayoptionally be substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,—NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —S—CH₃,—S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃,—N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —OCF₃ and —SCF₃.

Also preferred are C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl residues selected from the groupconsisting of (3,3)-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl, 4-methyl-pent-1-ynyl,1-hexynyl, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl,3-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl and 4-pentynyl, which mayoptionally be substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,—NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —S—CH₃,—S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃,—N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —OCF₃ and —SCF₃.

Particularly preferred optionally substituted C₁₋₁₀ aliphatic residuesare those selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CHF₂,—CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃,—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—OH, —CH₂—SH, —CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—N(CH₃)₂,—CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂, —CH₂—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl,—CF₂—CFCl₂, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CFCl₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—OH,—CH₂—CH₂—SH, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂,—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃,—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—SH,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CF₃,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CF₃, —CH₂—O—C(═O)—CH₃, —CH₂—O—C(═O)—C₂H₅,—CH₂—O—C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—O—C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂—C(═O)—O—CH₃,—CH₂—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—CH₂—O-phenyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, sec.-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, vinyl,1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,2-methyl-buten-2-yl, (1,1,2)-trifluoro-1-butenyl, 1-pentenyl,2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, —CF═CF₂, —CCl═CCl₂, —CH₂—CF═CF₂,—CH₂—CCl═CCl₂, —C≡C—I, —C≡C—F and —C≡C—Cl.

If one or more of the above-stated substituents denote a(hetero)cycloaliphatic residue, which may optionally be fused with asaturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or at least monosubstitutedmono- or polycyclic ring system, the latter may preferably be selectedfrom the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl,imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, thiomorpholinyl,tetrahydropyranyl, oxetanyl, (1,2,3,6)-tetrahydropyridinyl, azepanyl,azocanyl, diazepanyl, dithiolanyl,(1,3,4,5)-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-b]indolyl,(3,4)-dihydro-1H-isoquinolinyl, (1,3,4,9)-tetrahydro-[b]-carbolinyl and(1,3)-thiazolidinyl.

Examples which may be mentioned of suitable (hetero)cycloaliphaticresidues, which may unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted and arefused with a mono- or bicyclic ring system, are(4,5,6,7)-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridinyl, (2,3)-dihydro-1H-indenyl,3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl,6-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]heptyl, 8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, isoindolyl,indolyl, (1,2,3,4)-tetrahydroquinolinyl,(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, (2,3)-dihydro-1H-isoindolyl,(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydronaphthyl, (2,3)-dihydro-benzo[1.4]dioxinyl,benzo[1.3]dioxolyl, (1,4)-benzodioxanyl,(2,3)-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxinyl,(3,4)-dihydro-2H-benzo[1.4]oxazinyl, octahydro-1H-isoindolyl andoctahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrolyl.

For the purposes of the present invention, (hetero)cycloaliphaticresidues may, together with a further (hetero)cycloaliphatic residue,form a spirocyclic residue by way of a common carbon atom in the tworings.

Suitable spirocyclic residues which may be mentioned are, for example, a6-aza-spiro[2.5]octyl residue, 8-azaspiro[4.5]decyl residue and a1-oxa-2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-enyl residue.

The (hetero)cycloaliphatic residues may particularly preferablyoptionally in each case be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituentsmutually independently selected from the group consisting of oxo (═O),thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅,—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃,—S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, —C(═O)—CH₃,—C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃,—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅,—NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—OH,═CH₂, —CH₂—O—CH₂-oxetanyl, —O—CH₂-oxetanyl, —CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂,—CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—NH—C₂H₅, —N—[C(═O)—C₂H₅]-phenyl,—N—[C(═O)—CH₃]-phenyl, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —NH-phenyl,—N(CH₃)-phenyl, —N(C₂H₅)-phenyl, —N(C₂H₅)-phenyl, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₃,(4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl, thiophenyl,phenethyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl,—O—C(═O)—CH₃, —O—C(═O)—C₂H₅, —O—C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —(CH₂)-pyridinyl,pyridinyl, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein in each casethe cyclic moiety of the residues oxetanyl, (4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl,thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl, thiophenyl, phenethyl,—N—[C(═O)—C₂H₅]-phenyl, —N—[C(═O)—CH₃]-phenyl, —NH-phenyl,—N(CH₃)-phenyl, —N(C₂H₅)— phenyl, —(CH₂)-pyridinyl, pyridinyl,—O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl may be substituted with 1, 2, 3,4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the groupconsisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, —O—CH₃,—O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl.

If one or more of the above-stated substituents denote(s) an arylresidue, the latter may preferably be selected from the group consistingof phenyl and naphthyl (1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl).

If one or more of the above-stated substituents denote(s) a heteroarylresidue, the latter may preferably be selected from the group consistingof tetrazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl,pyranyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl,thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl,indazolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl.

Examples which may be mentioned of suitable aryl- and heteroarylresidues which may be unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted and arefused with a mono- or bicyclic ring system are isoindolyl, indolyl,(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydroquinolinyl, (1,2,3,4)-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl,(2,3)-dihydro-1H-isoindolyl, (1,2,3,4)-tetrahydronaphthyl,(2,3)-dihydro-benzo[1.4]dioxinyl,(2,3)-dihydrothieno[3,4-b)][1,4]dioxinyl, benzo[1.3]dioxolyl, and(1,4)-benzodioxanyl.

The aryl or heteroaryl residues may particularly preferably in each caseoptionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,—CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂,—O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—S(═O)₂—CH₃, —NH—S(═O₂)—C₂H₅, —NH—S(═O)₂—CH(CH₃)₂,—NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—H,—C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—NH₂,—C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂,—O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein in each case the cyclicmoiety of the residues —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl may besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN,—NO₂, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃,phenyl and —O-benzyl.

If a polycyclic ring system, such as for example a bicyclic ring system,is present, the various rings may in each case mutually independently beof a different degree of saturation, i.e. be saturated or unsaturated. Apolycyclic ring system is preferably a bicyclic ring system.

Examples of aryl residues which are fused with a mono- or polycyclicring system and may be mentioned are (1,3)-benzodioxolyl and(1,4)-benzodioxanyl.

If one or more of the above-stated substituents comprise a mono- orpolycyclic ring system, the latter may preferably be substituted with 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH,—O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃,—SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,—C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein ineach case the cyclic moiety of the residues —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyland benzyl may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutuallyindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH,—CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl.

Preference is given to C₂₋₆ alkenylene groups such as —CH═CH— and—CH₂—CH═CH—.

Preference is given to C₂₋₃ alkynylene groups such as —C≡C— and—CH₂—C≡C—.

Preferred compounds are those of the above-stated general formula I, inwhich

X denotes O;n denotes 0, 1 or 2;R¹, R², R³ and R⁴, mutually independently, in each case denote H; F; Cl;Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³;—SR¹⁴; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴ or denote a residue selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl,—CCl₂F, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃,—CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂,isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl;R⁵ denotes —NH₂; —NHR²⁵; —NR²⁶R²⁷; denotes an alkyl residue selectedfrom the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl;R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a residue selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F,—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃,—C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl,—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃,—CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl,(2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl,—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl,2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;R⁷ and R⁸, mutually independently, in each case denote a hydrogenresidue;denote an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—OH,—CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, methyl, ethyl and n-propyl;denote a residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl,thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, triazolyl,pyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl,isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, indazolyl,quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl, which may in each case beattached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or may in eachcase be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅,—S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl;or denote a residue selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl;providing that R⁷ and R⁸ do not in each case denote a hydrogen residue;orR⁷ and R⁸ in each case together with the carbon atom joining themtogether as a ring member form a residue selected from the groupconsisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl andcycloheptyl;T denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes C—R³⁰ V denotes N and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes N and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes N and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes N and U denotes N and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes N and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes N and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes N and V denotes N and W denotes C—R³²orT denotes C—R²⁹ and U denotes C—R³⁰ and V denotes C—R³¹ and W denotesC—R³²;R⁹ denotes F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴;denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃,—CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,—C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) and tert.-butyl;or denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl andcyclohexenyl, which may optionally in each case be substituted with 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl;R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R²¹ and R²³ and R²⁴, mutually independently, ineach casedenote a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃,—CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl,5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,(3,3)-dimethylbutyl, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyland 3-pentenyl;denote a residue selected from the group consisting of2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azepanyl,diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl, which may in each case beattached via a —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—,—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or in eachcase unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃,—O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃;or denote a residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl,naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl and isoxazolyl,wherein the residue may in each case be attached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂—or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or may in each case be unsubstituted or optionallysubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl;R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷, mutually independently, in each case denote an alkylresidue selected from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl andisobutyl;R²⁸ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,—CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl,n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl,3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, ethenyl, propenyl,2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³, mutually independently, in each case denote H; F; Cl;Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³;—SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴; denote a residue selectedfrom the group consisting of —CH₂—OH, methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂,—CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃,—CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl ordenote a phenyl residue, which may be unsubstituted or optionallysubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl andn-pentyl;R³² denotes H; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR³³; —NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶;—SR³⁷; —C(═O)—OR⁴⁴; —S(═O)—R⁴⁶; —S(═O)₂—R⁴⁷; —C(═NH)—NH₂;—C(═NH)—NH—R⁴⁸; —N═C(NH₂)₂; —N═C(NHR⁴⁹)(NHR⁵⁰);denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, imidazolidinyl,tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl andthiomorpholinyl, which is in each case attached via a carbon atom of therings of the above-stated residues or via a —(CH═CH)—, —C≡C— or—C≡C—CH₂— group to the parent structure and may be unsubstituted oroptionally in each case substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituentsmutually independently selected from the group consisting of —CN,—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂, —CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—NH—C₂H₅,—N—[C(═O)—C₂H₅]-phenyl, —N—[C(═O)—CH₃]-phenyl, oxo (═O), thioxo (═S),—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH,—S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,—C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—OH,—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃;or denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of(1,3)-benzodioxolyl, (1,4)-benzodioxanyl, tetrazolyl,(2,3)-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, phenyl,naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, thiazolyl,oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, indazolyl,quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl, which may in each case beattached via a —(CH═CH)—, —C≡C—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— groupand/or may in each case be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from thegroup consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅,—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃,—S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH,—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅),—NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—S(═O)₂—CH₃, —NH—S(═O₂)—C₂H₅, —NH—S(═O)₂—CH(CH₃)₂,—NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃,—C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃,—C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl,phenyl and benzyl;R³³, R³⁴, R³⁵, R³⁶, R³⁷, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁶, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁸, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰, mutuallyindependently, in each casedenote a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃,—CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl,5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,(3,3)-dimethylbutyl, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyland 3-pentenyl;denote a residue selected from the group consisting of2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azepanyl,diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl, which may in each case beattached via a —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—,—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or may ineach case be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or5 substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃,—O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃;or denote a residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl,naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl and isoxazolyl,wherein the residue may in each case be attached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂—or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or may in each case be unsubstituted or optionallybe substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl;orR³⁴ and R³⁵ in each case together with the nitrogen atom joining themtogether as a ring member form a residue selected from the groupconsisting of 3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 6-aza-spiro[2.5]octyl,3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 6-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]heptyl,8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 1-oxa-2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-enyl,azocanyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, (1,2,3,6)-tetrahydropyridinyl,(4,5,6,7)-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl andthiomorpholinyl, the heterocycloaliphatic moiety of which may in eachcase be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residues R⁵¹;R⁵¹ denotes —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or denotes an alkyl residue selected fromthe group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl;R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴, mutually independently, in each case denote-C(═O)—R⁵⁵;denote an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of —CF₃,—CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, and isobutyl;or denote a residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl,naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl and isoxazolyl,wherein the residue may in each case be attached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂—or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or may in each case be unsubstituted or optionallysubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl;andR⁵⁵ denotes an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of —CF₃,—CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl and isobutyl;in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomersthereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racematesthereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular theenantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio, or ineach case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case in the formof corresponding solvates.

Particularly preferred compounds are those of the general formula Ia,

in which

-   V denotes N or CH;-   R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a residue selected from the group    consisting of methyl, —CH₂—CN, ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,    —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, ethenyl, propenyl,    2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;-   R⁹ denotes F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —O—CCl₃; —O—CBr₃; —O—CHF₂;    —O—CH₂F; —O—CF₂Cl; —O—CCl₂F; —O—CF₂—CH₃; —S—CF₃; —S—CCl₃; —S—CBr₃;    —S—CHF₂; —S—CH₂F; —S—CF₂Cl; —S—CCl₂F; —S—CF₂—CH₃; or denotes a    residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CHF₂,    —CH₂F, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) and tert.-butyl;-   R²⁸ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,    ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,    n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl,    (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,    (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,    2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;-   R³⁴ and R³⁵, mutually independently, in each case    -   denote a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,        —CH₂—O—CH₃, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,        tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl,        —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅ and —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃;    -   denote a residue selected from the group consisting of        2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl, cyclobutyl,        cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,        tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,        piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl,        which may in each case optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4        or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the group        consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,        sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl;        or-   R³⁴ and R³⁵ in each case together with the nitrogen atom joining    them together as a ring member form a residue selected from the    group consisting of 3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl,    6-aza-spiro[2.5]octyl, 3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl,    6-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]heptyl, 8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl,    1-oxa-2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-enyl, azocanyl, isoindolyl, indolyl,    (1,2,3,6)-tetrahydropyridinyl,    (4,5,6,7)-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl,    piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl and    thiomorpholinyl, the heterocycloaliphatic moiety of which may in    each case be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5    residues R⁵¹;-   R⁵¹ denotes —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or denotes an alkyl residue selected    from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl,    n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl;-   R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴, mutually independently, in each case    denote-C(═O)—R⁵⁵;    -   denote an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of        —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl,        n-butyl, sec.-butyl, and isobutyl;    -   or denote a residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl        and naphthyl, wherein the residue may in each case be attached        via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and/or in each case        unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5        substituents mutually independently selected from the group        consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅,        —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,        n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl;        and-   R⁵⁵ denotes an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of    —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl,    n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl;    in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomers    thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racemates    thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular    the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio,    or in each case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case    in the form of corresponding solvates.

Particularly preferred compounds are those of the above-stated generalformula Ia, in which,

-   R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a residue selected from the group    consisting of methyl, —CH₂—CN, ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,    —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    tert.-butyl and n-pentyl;-   R⁹ denotes —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —CF₃; —CHF₂; —CH₂F; —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) or    tert.-butyl;-   R²⁸ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,    ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,    ethenyl and propenyl;    R³⁴ and R³⁵ in each case together with the nitrogen atom joining    them together as a ring member form a residue selected from the    group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl,    morpholinyl and azepanyl, the heterocycloaliphatic moiety of which    may in each case be unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or    5 residues R⁵¹;-   R⁵¹ denotes —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or denotes an alkyl residue selected    from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,    tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl;    R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴, mutually independently, in each case    denote-C(═O)—R⁵⁵;    denote an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of    methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl,    sec.-butyl, and isobutyl;    or denote a phenyl residue, wherein the residue may be substituted    with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents mutually independently selected    from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and    isopropyl;    and R⁵⁵ denotes an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting    of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl,    sec.-butyl, and isobutyl;    in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomers    thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racemates    thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular    the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio,    or in each case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case    in the form of corresponding solvates.

Particularly preferred compounds are those of the general formula Ib,

in which

-   R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a residue selected from the group    consisting of methyl, —CH₂—CN, ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,    —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, ethenyl, propenyl,    2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;-   R⁹ denotes F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —O—CCl₃; —O—CBr₃; —O—CHF₂;    —O—CH₂F; —O—CF₂Cl; —O—CCl₂F; —O—CF₂—CH₃; —S—CF₃; —S—CCl₃; —S—CBr₃;    —S—CHF₂; —S—CH₂F; —S—CF₂Cl; —S—CCl₂F; —S—CF₂—CH₃; or denotes a    residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CHF₂,    —CH₂F, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) and tert.-butyl;-   R²⁸ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,    ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,    n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl,    (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,    (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,    2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl;    and-   R³⁷ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,    —CH₂—O—CH₃, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl,    —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅ and —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃;    -   or denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of        2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl, cyclobutyl,        cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,        tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,        piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl,        which may in each case optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4        or 5 substituents mutually independently selected from the group        consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,        sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl;        in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure        stereoisomers thereof, in particular enantiomers or        diastereomers, the racemates thereof or in the form of a mixture        of stereoisomers, in particular the enantiomers and/or        diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio, or in each case in        the form of corresponding salts or in each case in the form of        corresponding solvates.

Very particularly preferred compounds are those of the above-statedgeneral formula Ib,

in which

-   R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ or denotes a residue selected from the group    consisting of methyl, —CH₂—CN, ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl,    —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,    tert.-butyl and n-pentyl;-   R⁹ denotes —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —CF₃; —CHF₂; —CH₂F; —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) or    tert.-butyl;-   R²⁸ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,    ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,    ethenyl and propenyl;    and-   R³⁷ denotes a residue selected from the group consisting of    cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl,    which may in each case optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or    5 substituents mutually independently selected from the group    consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,    sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl;    in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomers    thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racemates    thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular    the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio,    or in each case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case    in the form of corresponding solvates.

The present invention further preferably provides compounds of thegeneral formula I′, I″ and I″′.

in which in each caseD denotes N or CHR⁹ denotes CF₃ or denotes tert.-butylR⁶ denotes methyl, ethyl, —C(═O)—CH₃ or —C(═O)—CH₂CH₃,in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomersthereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racematesthereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular theenantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio, or ineach case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case in the formof corresponding solvates.

Still more preferred are compounds of the general formulae I, Ia, Ib,I′, I″ and I″′ selected from the group consisting of

-   [1]    N-(2-fluoro-4-(1-oxo-1-((2-(4-(N-phenylpropionamido)piperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methylamino)propan-2-yl)phenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)propionamide,-   [2]    2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,-   [3]    2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,-   [4]    N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [5]    (S)—N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [6]    (S)—N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,-   [7]    N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [8]    N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,-   [9]    2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,-   [10]    N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [11]    N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [12]    2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)propanamide,-   [13]    N-(2-(cyclohexylthio)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,-   [14]    N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide    and-   [15]    N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,    in each case optionally in the form of one of the pure stereoisomers    thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, the racemates    thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, in particular    the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixing ratio,    or in each case in the form of corresponding salts or in each case    in the form of corresponding solvates.

In addition, compounds according to the invention of the generalformulae I, Ia, Ib, I′, I″, I″′ may be preferred which, in a FLIPR assaywith CHO K1 cells which have been transfected with the human gene VR1,in a concentration of less than 2000 nM, preferably of less than 1000nM, particularly preferably of less then 300 nM, very particularlypreferably of less than 100 nM, still more preferably of less than 75nM, further preferably of less than 50 nM, most preferably of less than10 nM, bring about 50% displacement of capsaicin which is present in aconcentration of 100 nM.

In this FLIPR assay, the influx of Ca²⁺ is quantified with theassistance of a Ca²⁺-sensitive dye (type Fluo-4, Molecular Probes EuropeBV, Leiden, Netherlands) in a Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR,Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, USA) as described below.

The present invention also provides a method for the production ofcompounds of the above-stated general formulae I, Ia, Ib, I′, I″, I″′ inaccordance with which at least one compound of the general formula II,

in which R⁹, U, T, V, and W have the above-stated meanings, m denotes 0,1, 2 or 3 and R denotes hydrogen or denotes a linear or branched C₁₋₆alkyl residue, is reacted in a reaction medium, in the presence of atleast one reducing agent, preferably in the presence of at least onereducing agent selected from the group consisting of sodium hydride,sodium, potassium hydride, lithium aluminium hydride, sodium borohydrideand di(isobutyl)aluminium hydride to yield at least one compound of thegeneral formula III,

in which R⁹, U, T, V and W have the above-stated meanings and m denotes0, 1, 2 or 3 and said compound is optionally purified and/or isolated,and at least one compound of the general formula III is reacted in areaction medium in the presence of diphenylphosphoryl azide or in thepresence of HN₃ to yield at least one compound of the general formulaIV,

in which R⁹, U, T, V and W have the above-stated meanings and m denotes0, 1, 2 or 3 and said compound is optionally purified and/or isolated,and at least one compound of the general formula IV is reacted in areaction medium in the presence of at least one reducing agent,preferably in the presence of at least one reducing agent selected fromthe group consisting of sodium hydride, potassium hydride, lithiumaluminium hydride, sodium borohydride and di(isobutyl)aluminium hydrideor in a reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst, preferably in thepresence of a catalyst based on platinum or palladium, particularlypreferably in the presence of palladium on carbon, and in the presenceof hydrogen or in the presence of hydrazineor in a reaction medium in the presence of triphenylphosphineto yield at least one compound of the general formula V,

in which R⁹, U, T, V and W have the above-stated meanings and m denotes0, 1, 2 or 3 and said compound is optionally purified and/or isolated,or at least one compound of the general formula VI,

in which R⁹, U, T, V, and W have the above-stated meanings and m denotes0, 1, 2 or 3, is reacted in a reaction mediumin the presence of at least one catalyst, preferably in the presence ofat least one catalyst based on palladium or platinum, particularlypreferably in the presence of palladium on carbon, under a hydrogenatmosphere, optionally in the presence of at least one acid, preferablyin the presence of hydrochloric acid,or in the presence of at least one reducing agent selected from thegroup consisting of BH₃.S(CH₃)₂, lithium aluminium hydride and sodiumborohydride, optionally in the presence of NiCl₂,to yield at least one compound of the general formula V, optionally inthe form of a corresponding salt, preferably in the form of acorresponding hydrochloride, and said compound is optionally purifiedand/or isolated,and at least one compound of the general formula V is reacted with atleast one compound of the general formula VII,

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the above-statedmeanings and R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue, in areaction medium, optionally in the presence of at least one suitablecoupling agent, optionally in the presence of at least one base,or with at least one compound of the general formula VIII,

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the above-statedmeanings, R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue and LG denotes aleaving group, preferably denotes a chlorine or bromine atom, in areaction medium, optionally in the presence of at least one base, toyield at least one compound of the general formula Ih,

in which T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹, have theabove-stated meanings, R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue andn denotes 1, 2, 3 or 4, and said compound is optionally purified and/orisolated,and optionally at least one compound of the general formula Ih isreacted in a reaction medium with at least one compound of the generalformula IX,

in which the phenyl residues are in each case substituted with 1 or 2substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof methoxy, phenoxy, Cl, methyl and Br, preferably in each case with aphenoxy residue or methoxy residue, particularly preferably in each casewith a methoxy residue in para position, or with phosphoruspentasulfide, to yield at least one compound of the general formula Ik,

in which T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings, R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue andn denotes 1, 2, 3 or 4, and said compound it optionally purified and/orisolated;and optionally at least one compound of the general formula Io,

in which X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings, R⁶ denotes a hydrogen residue and n denotes 1, 2,3 or 4, is reacted in a reaction medium in the presence of at least onecompound of the general formula R²⁸—C(═O)—O—C(═O)—R²⁸, in which R²⁸ hasthe above-stated meaning, to yield at least one compound of the generalformula I, in which X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹have the above-stated meanings, R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸ and n denotes 1,2, 3 or 4, and said compound is optionally purified and/or isolated.

The present invention also provides a method for producing compounds ofthe above-stated general formulae I, Ia, Ib, I′, I″ and I″′, inaccordance with which at least one compound of the general formula X,

in which R⁹, U, T, V, and W have the above-stated meanings, is reactedwith at least one compound of the general formula VIII,

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the above-statedmeanings and R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue, in areaction medium, optionally in the presence of at least one suitablecoupling agent, optionally in the presence of at least one base,or with at least one compound of the general formula VIII,

in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the above-statedmeanings, R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue and LG denotes aleaving group, preferably for a chlorine or bromine atom, in a reactionmedium, optionally in the presence of at least one base, to yield atleast one compound of the general formula Im,

in which T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings, and said compound is optionally purified and/orisolated,and optionally at least one compound of the general formula Im isreacted in a reaction medium with at least one compound of the generalformula IX,

in which the phenyl residues are in each case substituted with 1 or 2substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof methoxy, phenoxy, Cl, methyl and Br, preferably in each case with aphenoxy residue or methoxy residue, particularly preferably in each casewith a methoxy residue in para position, or with phosphoruspentasulfide, to yield at least one compound of the general formula In,

in which T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings and R⁶ may additionally denote a hydrogen residue,and said compound is optionally purified and/or isolated;and optionally at least one compound of the general formula Ip,

in which X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings and R⁶ denotes a hydrogen residue, is reacted in areaction medium in the presence of at least one compound of the generalformula R²⁸—C(═O)—O—C(═O)—R²⁸, in which R²⁸ has the above-statedmeaning, to yield at least one compound of the general formula I, inwhich X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have theabove-stated meanings and R⁶ denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸, and said compound isoptionally purified and/or isolated.

The reaction of compounds of the above-stated general formulae V or Xwith carboxylic acids of the above-stated general formula VII to yieldcompounds of the above-stated general formulae Ih or Im proceedspreferably in a reaction medium selected from the group consisting ofdiethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol,(1,2)-dichloroethane, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane andcorresponding mixtures, optionally in the presence of at least onecoupling reagent, preferably selected from the group consisting of1-benzotriazolyloxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate(BOP), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC),N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide (EDCI),diisopropylcarbodiimide, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI),N-(dimethylamino)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridino-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethanaminiumhexafluorophosphate N-oxide (HATU),O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate(HBTU), O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluroniumtetrafluoroborate (TBTU) and 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt),optionally in the presence of at least one organic base, preferablyselected from the group consisting of triethylamine, pyridine,dimethylaminopyridine, N-methylmorpholine and diisopropylethylamine,preferably at temperatures of −70° C. to 100° C.

Alternatively, the reaction of compounds of the above-stated generalformulae V or X with carboxylic acid derivatives of the above-statedgeneral formula VIII, in which LG denotes a leaving group, preferably achlorine or bromine atom, to yield compounds of the above-stated generalformulae Ih or Im proceeds in a reaction medium preferably selected fromthe group consisting of diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile,methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane and correspondingmixtures, optionally in the presence of an organic base or inorganicbase, preferably selected from the group consisting of triethylamine,dimethylaminopyridine, pyridine and diisopropylamine, at temperatures of−70° C. to 100° C.

The reaction of compounds of the general formulae Ih or Im to yieldcompounds of the general formulae Ik or In preferably proceeds in areaction medium selected from the group consisting of toluene,para-xylene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, acetonitrile, dichloromethane,dimethylformamide and mixtures of the above-stated reaction media, withthe addition of a dithiaphosphetane, particularly preferably with theaddition of2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide(Lawesson's reagent), or with the addition of phosphorus pentasulfide,at temperatures of 50 to 150° C.

The compounds of the above-stated formulae II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IXand X are in each case commercially obtainable and may also be producedusing conventional methods known to a person skilled in the art.

The synthesis method for compounds of the general formula VII may befound in the document “4-(Methylsulfonylamino)phenyl analogues asvanilloid antagonist showing excellent analgesic activity and thepharmaceutical compositions comprising the same” by J. W. Lee et al. [WO2005/003084-A1]. The corresponding parts of the reference are herebydeemed to be part of the disclosure.

The above-described reactions may in each case be performed underconventional conditions familiar to a person skilled in the art, forexample with regard to pressure or the sequence of addition of thecomponents. Optimum control of the process under the respectiveconditions may optionally be established by the person skilled in theart by simple preliminary testing. The intermediate and final productsobtained from the above-described reactions may in each case, if desiredand/or necessary, be purified and/or isolated using conventional methodsknown to a person skilled in the art. Suitable purification methods are,for example, extraction methods and chromatographic methods such ascolumn chromatography or preparative chromatography. All theabove-described method steps and in each case also the purificationand/or isolation of intermediate or final products may be performed inpart or entirely under an inert gas atmosphere, preferably under anitrogen atmosphere.

Preferred compounds of the general formulae I, Ia, Ib, 1′, I″′ and I″′may in each case be present as an (S)-enantiomer. For example, the(S)-enantiomer of compounds of the general formula Ia is indicatedbelow.

The substituted compounds according to the invention of the above-statedgeneral formulae I, Ia, Ib, 1′, I″ and I″′, hereinafter designated onlyas compounds of the general formula I, and corresponding stereoisomersmay be isolated both in the form of the free bases thereof, the freeacids thereof and in the form of corresponding salts, in particularphysiologically acceptable salts.

The free bases of the particular substituted compounds according to theinvention of the above-stated general formula I and correspondingstereoisomers may, for example, be converted into the correspondingsalts, preferably physiologically acceptable salts by reaction with aninorganic or organic acid, preferably with hydrochloric acid,hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid,p-toluenesulfonic acid, carbonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, oxalicacid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid, lacticacid, citric acid, glutamic acid or aspartic acid. The free bases of therespective substituted compounds of the above-stated general formula Iand corresponding stereoisomers may likewise be converted into thecorresponding physiologically acceptable salts with the free acid or asalt of a sugar substitute, such as for example saccharin, cyclamate oracesulfame.

The free acids of the substituted compounds of the above-stated generalformula I and corresponding stereoisomers may correspondingly beconverted into the corresponding physiologically acceptable salts byreaction with a suitable base.

Examples which may be mentioned are alkali metal salts, alkaline earthmetal salts or ammonium salts NH_(X)R_(4-x)]⁺, in which x=0, 1, 2, 3 or4 and R denotes a linear or branched C₁₋₄ alkyl residue.

The substituted compounds according to the invention of the above-statedgeneral formula I and corresponding stereoisomers may optionally, likethe corresponding acids, the corresponding bases or salts of thesecompounds, also be obtained in the form of the solvates thereof,preferably in the form of the hydrates thereof, by conventional methodsknown to a person skilled in the art.

If the substituted compounds according to the invention of theabove-stated general formula I are obtained after the production thereofin the form of a mixture of the stereoisomers thereof, preferably in theform of the racemates thereof or other mixtures of their variousenantiomers and/or diastereomers, these may be separated and optionallyisolated by conventional methods known to a person skilled in the art.Examples are chromatographic separation methods, in particular liquidchromatography methods at standard pressure or at elevated pressure,preferably MPLC and HPLC methods, and fractional crystallisationmethods. Individual enantiomers, for example diastereomeric salts formedby means of HPLC on a chiral stationary phase or by means ofcrystallisation with chiral acids, such as (+)-tartaric acid,(−)-tartaric acid or (+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid, may here in particularbe separated from one another.

The substituted compounds according to the invention of the above-statedgeneral formula I and corresponding stereoisomers as well as in eachcase the corresponding acids, bases, salts and solvates aretoxicologically safe and are therefore suitable as pharmaceutical activeingredients in medicaments.

The present invention accordingly also provides a medicament containingat least one compound according to the invention of the above-statedgeneral formula I, in each case optionally in the form of one of thepure stereoisomers thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers,the racemates thereof or in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, inparticular the enantiomers and/or diastereomers, in any desired mixingratio, or in each case in the form of a corresponding salt, or in eachcase in the form of a corresponding solvate, and optionally one or morepharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances.

These medicaments according to the invention are suitable in particularfor vanilloid receptor 1-(VR1/TRPV1) regulation, preferably forvanilloid receptor 1-(VR1/TRPV1) inhibition and/or for vanilloidreceptor 1-(VR1/TRPV1) stimulation.

The medicaments according to the invention are likewise preferablysuitable for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders and/ordiseases, which are mediated at least in part by vanilloid receptors 1.

The medicament according to the invention is preferably suitable for thetreatment and/or prevention of one or more diseases selected from thegroup consisting of pain selected from the group consisting of acutepain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain and visceral pain; joint pain;hyperalgesia; allodynia; causalgia; migraine; depression; neuropathy;nerve injury; neurodegenerative diseases, preferably selected from thegroup consisting of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease and Huntington's chorea; cognitive dysfunction, preferablycognitive deficiency states, particularly preferably memory disorders;epilepsy; airways diseases, preferably selected from the groupconsisting of asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary inflammation; coughing;urinary incontinence; an overactive bladder (OAB); diseases and/orinjuries of the gastrointestinal tract; duodenal ulcers; gastric ulcers;irritable bowel syndrome; strokes; eye irritation; skin irritation;neurotic skin conditions; allergic skin diseases; psoriasis; vitiligo;herpes simplex; inflammation, preferably inflammation of the intestines,the eyes, the bladder, the skin or the nasal mucosa; diarrhoea;pruritus; osteoporosis; arthritis; osteoarthritis; rheumatic diseases;disorders of food intake, preferably selected from the group consistingof bulimia, cachexia, anorexia and obesity; dependency on medicines;abuse of medicines; withdrawal symptoms associated with dependency onmedicines; development of tolerance towards medicines, preferablytowards natural or synthetic opioids; dependency on drugs; drug abuse;withdrawal symptoms associated with dependency on drugs; dependency onalcohol; alcohol abuse and withdrawal symptoms associated withdependency on alcohol; for diuresis; for antinatriuresis; forinfluencing the cardiovascular system; for increasing vigilance; for thetreatment of wounds and/or burns; for the treatment of severed nerves;for increasing libido; for modulating locomotor activity; foranxiolysis; for local anaesthesia and/or for inhibiting undesiredside-effects, preferably selected from the group consisting ofhyperthermia, high blood pressure and constriction of bronchial tubes,triggered by the administration of vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1/TRPV1receptor) agonists, preferably selected from the group consisting ofcapsaicin, resiniferatoxin, olvanil, arvanil, SDZ-249665, SDZ-249482,nuvanil and capsavanil.

The medicament according to the invention is particularly preferablysuitable for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more diseasesselected from the group consisting of pain, preferably of pain selectedfrom the group consisting of acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic painand visceral pain; joint pain; migraine; depression; neurodegenerativediseases, preferably selected from the group consisting of multiplesclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington'schorea; cognitive dysfunction, preferably cognitive deficiency states,particularly preferably memory disorders; inflammation, preferablyinflammation of the intestines, the eyes, the bladder, the skin or thenasal mucosa; urinary incontinence; an overactive bladder (OAB);dependency on medicines; abuse of medicines; withdrawal symptomsassociated with dependency on medicines; development of tolerancetowards medicines, preferably development of tolerance towards naturalor synthetic opioids; dependency on drugs; drug abuse; withdrawalsymptoms associated with dependency on drugs; dependency on alcohol;alcohol abuse and withdrawal symptoms associated with dependency onalcohol.

The medicament according to the invention is very particularlypreferably suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of pain,preferably of pain selected from the group consisting of acute pain,chronic pain, neuropathic pain and visceral pain, and/or urinaryincontinence.

The present invention also provides the use of at least one compoundaccording to the invention and optionally one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable auxiliary substances for the production of a medicament forvanilloid receptor 1-(VR1/TRPV1) regulation, preferably for vanilloidreceptor 1-(VR1/TRPV1) inhibition and/or for vanilloid receptor1-(VR1/TRPV1) stimulation.

It is preferred to use at least one substituted compound according tothe invention and optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptableauxiliary substances for the production of a medicament for theprevention and/or treatment of disorders or diseases which are mediatedat least in part by vanilloid receptors 1.

It is particularly preferred to use at least one compound according tothe invention and optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptableauxiliary substances for the production of a medicament for thetreatment and/or prevention of one or more diseases selected from thegroup consisting of pain, preferably of pain selected from the groupconsisting of acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain and visceralpain and joint pain.

It is particularly preferred to use at least one compound according tothe invention and optionally one or more pharmaceutically compatibleauxiliary substances for the production of a medicament for thetreatment and/or prevention of one or more diseases selected from thegroup consisting of hyperalgesia; allodynia; causalgia; migraine;depression; neuropathy; nerve injury; neurodegenerative diseases,preferably selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea;cognitive dysfunction, preferably cognitive deficiency states,particularly preferably memory disorders; epilepsy; airways diseases,preferably selected from the group consisting of asthma, bronchitis andpulmonary inflammation; coughing; urinary incontinence; an overactivebladder (OAB); diseases and/or injuries of the gastrointestinal tract;duodenal ulcers; gastric ulcers; irritable bowel syndrome; strokes; eyeirritation; skin irritation; neurotic skin conditions; allergic skindiseases; psoriasis; vitiligo; herpes simplex; inflammation, preferablyinflammation of the intestines, the eyes, the bladder, the skin or thenasal mucosa; diarrhoea; pruritus; osteoporosis; arthritis;osteoarthritis; rheumatic diseases; disorders of food intake, preferablyselected from the group consisting of bulimia, cachexia, anorexia andobesity; dependency on medicines; abuse of medicines; withdrawalsymptoms associated with dependency on medicines; development oftolerance towards medicines, preferably towards natural or syntheticopioids; dependency on drugs; drug abuse; withdrawal symptoms associatedwith dependency on drugs; dependency on alcohol; alcohol abuse andwithdrawal symptoms associated with dependency on alcohol; for diuresis;for antinatriuresis; for influencing the cardiovascular system; forincreasing vigilance; for the treatment of wounds and/or burns; for thetreatment of severed nerves; for increasing libido; for modulatinglocomotor activity; for anxiolysis; for local anaesthesia and/or forinhibiting undesired side-effects, preferably selected from the groupconsisting of hyperthermia, high blood pressure and constriction ofbronchial tubes, triggered by the administration of vanilloid receptor 1(VR1/TRPV1 receptor) agonists, preferably selected from the groupconsisting of capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, olvanil, arvanil, SDZ-249665,SDZ-249482, nuvanil and capsavanil.

It is very particularly preferred to use at least one substitutedcompound according to the invention and optionally one or morepharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances for the production of amedicament for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more diseasesselected from the group consisting of pain, preferably of pain selectedfrom the group consisting of acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic painand visceral pain; joint pain; migraine; depression; neurodegenerativediseases, preferably selected from the group consisting of multiplesclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington'schorea; cognitive dysfunction, preferably cognitive deficiency states,particularly preferably memory disorders; inflammation, preferablyinflammation of the intestines, the eyes, the bladder, the skin or thenasal mucosa; urinary incontinence; an overactive bladder (OAB);dependency on medicines; abuse of medicines; withdrawal symptomsassociated with dependency on medicines; development of tolerancetowards medicines, preferably development of tolerance towards naturalor synthetic opioids; dependency on drugs; drug abuse; withdrawalsymptoms associated with dependency on drugs; dependency on alcohol;alcohol abuse and withdrawal symptoms associated with dependency onalcohol.

It is still further preferred to use at least one substituted compoundaccording to the invention and optionally one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable auxiliary substances for the production of a medicament forthe treatment and/or prevention of pain, preferably selected from thegroup consisting of acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain andvisceral pain, and/or urinary incontinence.

The medicament according to the invention is suitable for administrationto adults and children including small children and babies.

The medicament according to the invention may be formulated as a liquid,semisolid or solid dosage form, for example in the form of solutions forinjection, drops, succi, syrups, sprays, suspensions, tablets, patches,capsules, dressings, suppositories, ointments, creams, lotions, gels,emulsions, aerosols or in multiparticulate form, for example in the formof pellets or granules, optionally pressed into tablets, packaged incapsules or suspended in a liquid, and may also be administered as such.

In addition to at least one substituted compound of the above-statedgeneral formula I, optionally in the form of one of the purestereoisomers thereof, in particular enantiomers or diastereomers, theracemate thereof or in the form of mixtures of the stereoisomers, inparticular the enantiomers or diastereomers, in any desired mixingratio, or optionally in the form of a corresponding salt or in each casein the form of a corresponding solvate, the medicament according to theinvention conventionally contains further physiologically acceptablepharmaceutical auxiliary substances, which may for example be selectedfrom the group consisting of matrix materials, fillers, solvents,diluents, surface-active substances, dyes, preservatives, disintegrants,slip agents, lubricants, aromas and binders.

Selection of the physiologically acceptable auxiliary substances and thequantities thereof which are to be used depends upon whether themedicament is to be administered orally, subcutaneously, parenterally,intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intramuscularly,intranasally, buccally, rectally or topically, for example ontoinfections of the skin, mucous membranes and eyes. Preparations in theform of tablets, coated tablets, capsules, granules, pellets, drops,succi and syrups are preferred for oral administration, while solutions,suspensions, readily reconstitutible dried preparations and sprays arepreferred for parenteral, topical and inhalatory administration. Thesubstituted compounds according to the invention used in the medicamentaccording to the invention in a depot in dissolved form or in adressing, optionally with the addition of skin penetration promoters,are suitable percutaneous administration preparations. Orally orpercutaneously administrable formulations may also release theparticular substituted compound according to the invention in delayedmanner.

Production of the medicaments according to the invention proceeds withthe assistance of conventional means, devices, methods and processesknown from the prior art, as are described for example in “Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences”, ed. A. R. Gennaro, 17th ed., Mack PublishingCompany, Easton, Pa. (1985), in particular in part 8, chapters 76 to 93.The corresponding description is hereby introduced as a reference and isdeemed to be part of the disclosure. The quantity of the particularsubstituted compounds according to the invention of the above-statedgeneral formula I to be administered to the patient may vary and is forexample dependent on the weight or age of the patient and on the mode ofadministration, the indication and the severity of the complaint.Conventionally, 0.001 to 100 mg/kg, preferably 0.05 to 75 mg/kg,particularly preferably 0.05 to 50 mg/kg of patient body weight of atleast one such compound according to the invention are administered.

Pharmacological Methods I. Functional Investigation on VanilloidReceptor 1 (VRI/TRPV1 Receptor)

The agonistic or antagonistic action of the substances to beinvestigated on the vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1/TRPV1) of the rat speciesmay be determined with the following assay. According to this assay, theinflux of Ca²⁺ through the receptor channel is quantified with theassistance of a Ca²⁺-sensitive dye (type Fluo-4, Molecular Probes EuropeBV, Leiden, Netherlands) in a Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR,Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, USA).

Method:

Complete medium: 50 mL HAMS F12 Nutrient Mixture (Gibco Invitrogen GmbH,Karlsruhe, Germany) with 10 vol. % FCS (foetal calf serum, GibcoInvitrogen GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany, heat-inactivated);

2 mM L-glutamine (Sigma, Munich, Germany);

1 wt. % AA solution (antibiotic/antimycotic solution, PAA, Pasching,Austria) and 25 ng/mL NGF medium (2.5 S, Gibco Invitrogen GmbH,Karlsruhe, Germany)

Cell culture plate: poly-D-lysine-coated, black 96-hole plates withclear base (96 well black/clear plate, BD Biosciences, Heidelberg,Germany) are additionally coated with laminin (Gibco Invitrogen GmbH,Karlsruhe, Germany), by diluting laminin to a concentration of 100 μg/mLwith PBS (Ca—Mg-free PBS, Gibco Invitrogen GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany).Aliquots with a concentration of 100 μg/mL of laminin are taken andstored at −20° C. The aliquots are diluted with PBS in the ratio of 1:10to 10 μg/mL of laminin and 50 μL of the solution is pipetted into eachwell of the cell culture plate. The cell culture plates are incubatedfor at least two hours at 37° C., the supernatant solution is aspiratedand the wells are each washed twice with PBS. The coated cell cultureplates are stored with supernatant PBS and this is only removed directlyprior to introduction of the cells.

Preparation of the Cells:

The spinal column is removed from decapitated rats and this is placeddirectly in cold HBSS buffer (Hank's buffered saline solution, GibcoInvitrogen GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany), i.e. located in an ice bath,combined with 1 vol. % (percent by volume) of an AA solution(antibiotic/antimycotic solution, PAA, Pasching, Austria). The spinalcolumn is severed lengthwise and removed from the spinal canal togetherwith fasciae. The dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) are then removed and inturn stored in cold HBSS buffer combined with 1 vol. % of an AAsolution. The DRGs, from which blood residues and spinal nerves havebeen completely removed, are in each case transferred into 500 μL coldcollagenase type 2 (PAA, Pasching, Austria) and incubated for 35 minutesat 37° C. After the addition of 2.5 vol. % trypsin (PAA, Pasching,Austria) incubation at 37° C. is continued for a further 10 minutes.After complete incubation, the enzyme solution is carefully pipetted offand the remaining DRGs are combined in each case with 500 μL of completemedium.

The DRGs are in each case repeatedly suspended, drawn through cannulasno. 1, no. 12 and no. 16 by means of a syringe and transferred into 50mL Falcon microtubes, these being filled to 15 mL with complete medium.The content of each Falcon microtube is in each case filtered through a70 μm Falcon filter insert and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1200revolutions and room temperature. The resultant pellet is in each caseredissolved in 250 μL of complete medium and the cell count isdetermined.

The number of cells in the suspension is adjusted to 3×10⁵ per mL and a150 μL portion of this suspension is in each case placed in a well ofthe cell culture plates which have been coated as described above. Theplates are left to stand in the incubator for two to three days at 37°C., 5 vol. % CO₂ and 95% relative atmospheric humidity.

The cells are then loaded with 2 μM Fluo-4 and 0.01 vol. % Pluronic F127(Molecular Probes Europe BV, Leiden, Netherlands) in HBSS buffer (Hank'sbuffered saline solution, Gibco Invitrogen GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany) for30 min at 37° C., washed 3× with HBSS buffer and, after a further 15minutes' incubation at room temperature, used for Ca²⁺ measurement inthe FLIPR assay. Ca²⁺-dependent fluorescence is here measured before andafter the addition of substances (λex=488 nm, λem=540 nm).Quantification proceeds by measuring the highest fluorescence intensity(FC, fluorescence counts) over time.

FLIPR Assay:

The FLIPR protocol consists of 2 additions of substance. First of all,the compounds to be tested (10 μM) are pipetted onto the cells and Ca²⁺influx is compared with the control (capsaicin 10 μM). This gives riseto a % activation value relative to the Ca²⁺ signal after addition of 10μM capsaicin (CP). After 5 minutes' incubation, 100 nM of capsaicin areadded and the influx of Ca²⁺ is likewise determined.

Desensitising agonists and antagonists result in suppression of Ca²⁺influx. The percentage inhibition in comparison with the maximumachievable inhibition with 10 μM capsaicin is calculated.

Three-fold determinations (n=3) are performed and these are repeated inat least 3 independent experiments (N=4).

On the basis of the percentage displacement by different concentrationsof the compounds to be tested of the general formula I, IC₅₀ inhibitionconcentrations which bring about 50% displacement of capsaicin werecalculated. K_(i) values for the test substances were obtained byconversion using the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Cheng, Prusoff; Biochem.Pharmacol. 22, 3099-3108, 1973).

II. Functional Investigations on Vanilloid Receptor (VR1)

The agonistic or antagonistic action of the substances to beinvestigated on the vanilloid receptor (VR1) may also be determined withthe following assay. According to this assay, the influx of Ca²⁺ throughthe channel is quantified with the assistance of a Ca²⁺-sensitive dye(type Fluo-4, Molecular Probes Europe BV, Leiden, Netherlands) in aFluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale,USA).

Method:

Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO K1 cells, European Collection of CellCultures (ECACC), Great Britain) are stably transfected with the VR1gene. For functional investigations, these cells are plated out ontopoly-D-lysine-coated, black 96-hole plates with a clear base (BDBiosciences, Heidelberg, Germany) at a density of 25,000 cells/hole. Thecells are incubated overnight at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in a culture medium(Ham's Nutrient Mixture F12, 10 vol. % FCS (foetal calf serum), 18 μg/mLL-proline). On the following day, the cells are incubated with Fluo-4(Fluo-4 2 μM, Pluronic F127 0.01 vol. %, Molecular Probes in HBSS(Hank's buffered saline solution), Gibco Invitrogen GmbH, Karlsruhe,Germany) for 30 minutes at 37° C. The plates are then washed 3 timeswith HBSS buffer and, after a further 15 minutes' incubation at roomtemperature, used for Ca²⁺ measurement in the FLIPR. Ca²⁺-dependentfluorescence is here measured before and after the addition of thesubstances to be investigated (wavelength λ_(ex)=488 nm, λ_(em)=540 nm).Quantification proceeds by measuring the highest fluorescence intensity(FC, fluorescence counts) over time.

FLIPR Assay:

The FLIPR protocol consists of 2 additions of substance. The substancesto be tested (10 μM) are firstly pipetted onto the cells and Ca²⁺ influxis compared with the control (capsaicin 10 μM) (% activation relative tothe Ca²⁺ signal after addition of 10 μM of capsaicin). After 5 minutes'incubation, 100 nM of capsaicin are added and the influx of Ca²⁺ islikewise determined.

Desensitising agonists and antagonists resulted in suppression of Ca²⁺influx. The percentage inhibition in comparison with the maximumachievable inhibition with 10 μM capsaicin is calculated.

On the basis of the percentage displacement by different concentrationsof the compounds to be tested of the general formula I, IC₅₀ inhibitionconcentrations which bring about 50% displacement of capsaicin werecalculated. K_(i) values for the test substances were obtained byconversion using the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Cheng, Prusoff; Biochem.Pharmacol. 22, 3099-3108, 1973).

III. b. Formaldehyde Test in Mice

The investigation for determining the antinociceptive action of thecompounds according to the invention is performed using the formaldehydetest on male mice (NMRI, 20 to 30 g body weight, Iffa, Credo, Belgium).

In the formaldehyde test, according to D. Dubuisson et al., Pain 1977,4, 161-174 a distinction is drawn between the first (early) phase (0 to15 minutes after the formaldehyde injection) and the second (late) phase(15 to 60 minutes after the formaldehyde injection). The early phase,being a direct response to the formaldehyde injection, is considered tobe a model for acute pain, while the late phase is considered to be amodel for persistent (chronic) pain (T. J. Coderre, et al., Pain 1993,52, 259-285). The corresponding literature descriptions are herebyintroduced as a reference and are deemed to be part of the disclosure.

The compounds according to the invention are investigated in the secondphase of the formaldehyde test in order to obtain information concerningthe effects of the substances on chronic/inflammatory pain.

The administration time of the compounds according to the inventionprior to the formaldehyde injection is selected as a function of themode of administration of the compounds according to the invention.Intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg body weight of the testsubstances proceeds 5 minutes prior to the formaldehyde injection. Thisis effected by a one-off subcutaneous formaldehyde injection (20 μL, 1%aqueous solution) into the dorsal side the right hand hind paw, suchthat, in the case of freely mobile test animals, a nociceptive reactionis induced, which manifests itself in marked licking and biting of therelevant paw.

Then, the nociceptive behaviour of the animals is observed and recordedcontinuously for an investigation period of three minutes in the second(late) phase of the formaldehyde test (21 to 24 minutes after theformaldehyde injection).

Quantification of the pain behaviour proceeds by summation of theseconds in which the animals licked and bit the relevant paw during theinvestigation period.

The comparison is made in each case with control animals, which, insteadof compounds according to the invention, received vehicle (0.9% aqueoussodium chloride soln.) before administration of the formaldehyde. On thebasis of the quantification of the pain behaviour, the substance effectin the formaldehyde test is determined in percent as a change comparedwith the corresponding control.

After the injection of substances which have an antinociceptive actionin the formaldehyde test, the described behaviours of the animals, i.e.licking and biting, are reduced or eliminated.

IV. c) Investigation of Analgesic Efficacy by the Writhing Test

Investigation of the compounds according to the invention of the generalformula I for analgesic efficacy was performed by phenylquinone-inducedwrithing in the mouse, modified after I. C. Hendershot and J. Forsaith(1959) J. Pharmacol. Exp. There. 125, 237-240. The correspondingliterature description is hereby introduced as a reference and is deemedto be part of the disclosure.

Male NMRI mice weighing from 25 to 30 g were used for this purpose.Groups of 10 animals per compound dose received, 10 minutes afterintravenous administration of the compounds to be tested, 0.3 mL/mouseof a 0.02% aqueous solution of phenylquinone (phenylbenzoquinone, Sigma,Deisenhofen, Germany; solution prepared with addition of 5% of ethanoland stored in a water bath at 45° C.) administered intraperitoneally.The animals were placed individually in observation cages. A push buttoncounter was used to record the number of pain-induced stretchingmovements (writhing reactions=straightening of the torso with stretchingof the rear extremities) for 5-20 minutes after phenylquinoneadministration. The control was provided by animals which had receivedonly physiological saline. All the compounds were tested at the standarddosage of 10 mg/kg.

V. Hypothermia Assay in Mice Description of Method:

The hypothermia assay is carried out on male NMRI mice (weight 25-35grams, breeder IFFA CREDO, Brussels, Belgium). The animals were keptunder standardised conditions: light/dark cycle (06:00 to 18:00 lightphase; 18:00 to 06:00 dark phase), room temperature 19-22° C., relativehumidity 35-70%, 15 air exchanges per hour, air movement <0.2 m/sec. Theanimals received standard feed (ssniff R/M maintenance, ssniffSpezialdiätten GmbH, Soest, Germany) and tap water. Water and feed werewithdrawn during the test. All the animals were used only once in thetest. The animals had a habituation phase of at least 5 days.

Acute administration of capsaicin (VR-1 agonist) leads to a drop in corebody temperature in rats and mice by stimulation of heat sensors. Onlyspecifically acting VR-1-receptor antagonists are capable ofantagonising capsaicin-induced hypothermia. Morphine-inducedhypothermia, in contrast, is not antagonised by VR-1 antagonists. Thismodel is therefore suitable for identifying substances with VR-1antagonistic properties from their action on the body temperature.

Core body temperature was measured using a digital thermometer(Thermalert TH-5, physitemp, Clifton N.J., USA). The sensor is hereinserted into the animal's rectum.

Body temperature is measured twice for each animal at an interval ofapprox. half an hour as an individual baseline value. One group ofanimals (n=6 to 10) then receives intraperitoneal (i.p.) administrationof capsaicin 3 mg/kg and vehicle (control group). Another group ofanimals receives the substance to be tested (i.v. or per os) andadditionally capsaicin (3 mg/kg) i.p. The test substance is administeredi.v. 10 minutes or per os 15 minutes before the capsaicin. Bodytemperature is then measured 7.5/15 and 30 min after capsaicin(i.v.+i.p.) or 15/30/60/90/120 min (per os+i.p.) after capsaicin. Inaddition, one group of animals is treated only with the test substanceand one group only with vehicle.

The measured values are evaluated and presented as a mean +/−SEM of theabsolute values on a graph. The antagonistic action is calculated as apercentage reduction in capsaicin-induced hypothermia.

VI. Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Efficacy against neuropathic pain was investigated in the Bennett model(chronic constriction injury; Bennett and Xie, 1988, Pain 33: 87-107).

NMRI mice weighing 16-18 g are provided under Ketavet-Rompun anaesthesiawith three loose ligatures of the right ischial nerve. On the pawinnervated by the damaged nerve, the animals develop hypersensitivitywhich, after one week's convalescence, is quantified over a period ofapprox. three weeks by means of a cold metal plate at 4° C. (coldallodynia). The animals are observed on this plate for a period of 2min. and the number of withdrawal responses by the damaged paw ismeasured. Relative to the preliminary value prior to administration ofthe substance, the action of the substance is determined at differentoccasions over a given period (for example 15, 30, 45, 60 min. afteradministration) and the resultant area under the curve (AUC) and/or theinhibition of cold allodynia at the individual measuring points isstated as a percentage action relative to the vehicle control (AUC) orto the initial value (individual measurement points). The size of thegroup is n=10, the significance of an antiallodynic action (*=p<0.05) isdetermined with reference to an analysis of variance with repeatedmeasurement and post hoc Bonferroni analysis.

The invention will be explained below with reference to a number ofexamples. These explanations are given merely by way of example and donot restrict the general concept of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The yields of the compounds produced have not been optimised.

All temperatures are uncorrected.

The term “equivalents” means molar equivalents, “RT” means roomtemperature, “M” and “N” are concentrations stated in mol/l, “aq.” meansaqueous, “sat.” means saturated, “soln.” means solution,

Other Abbreviations: DMF N,N-dimethylformamide

EDCI N-ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochlorideEA ethyl acetateH₂O waterMeOH methanol

The chemicals and solvents used were purchased from conventionalsuppliers (Acros, Avocado, Aldrich, Bachem, Fluka, Lancaster, Maybridge,Merck, Sigma, TCI, Oakwood etc.) or synthesised by conventional methodsknown to a person skilled in the art.

Silica gel 60 (0.0-0-0.063 mm) from E. Merck, Darmstadt, was used as thestationary phase for the column chromatography.

Thin-layer chromatography was performed with pre-coated silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates from E. Merck, Darmstadt.

The mixture ratios for solvents, mobile solvents or for chromatographicinvestigations are always stated in volume/volume.

Analysis was performed by mass spectroscopy and NMR.

1. General Method of Preparing Amines of the General Formula V-A

Amines of the general formula V-A are prepared as illustrated in thefollowing Scheme 1.

Stage 1: Preparation of Nitrites of the General Formula VI-B Method A:

Compounds of the general formula VI-A (1 equivalent), in which R⁹, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, arestirred with an amine of the general formula HNR³⁴R³⁵ (6 equivalents)for 48 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is combined with 1 Nhydrochloric acid and extracted repeatedly with EA. The aqueous phase issaturated with NaCl and then extracted again with EA. The combinedorganic phases are washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid and with a sat. aq.NaCl soln., dried over MgSO₄ and the solvent was removed under a vacuum.

Method B:

Compounds of the general formula VI-A (1 equivalent), in which R⁹, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, arestirred with an amine of the general formula HNR³⁴R³⁵ (2 equivalents)and DBU [1,8-diaza-bicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene] (2 equivalents) inacetonitrile (7 mL per mmol of the compound of formula VI-A) for 12hours at RT. The reaction mixture is extracted repeatedly with EA. Thecombined organic phases are washed with sat. aq. NaCl solution, driedover MgSO₄ and the solvent was removed under a vacuum. The residue ispurified in each case by column chromatography (SiO₂, different mixturesof hexane/EA).

The following compounds were produced using Method B.

6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)pyridine-3-carbonitrile

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.87 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 6.95 (d, 1H, J=7.8Hz), 4.53 (m, 2H), 3.05 (m, 2H), 1.78 (m, 2H), 1.64 (m, 1H), 1.29 (m,2H), 1.00 (d, 3H, J=6.6 Hz); IR (pur) 2926, 2852, 2218, 1590, 1497,1456, 1324, 1237, 1186, 1147, 1082, 963 cm⁻¹; MS (FAB) m/z 270 (M+H)

N-(3′-cyano-6′-trifluoromethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′]bipyridinyl-4-yl)-N-phenyl-propionamide

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.85 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.41 (m, 3H), 7.11 (m,2H), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=7.8 Hz), 4.96 (m, 1H), 4.61 (m, 2H), 3.14 (m, 2H),1.96 (m, 4H), 1.46 (m, 2H), 1.03 (t, 3H, J=7.5 Hz); MS (FAB) m/z 403(M+H)

Stage 2: Method 1

Compounds of the general formula VI-B (5 mmol), in which R⁹, R³⁴, R³⁵,U, T and V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,palladium on carbon (10%, 500 mg) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3mL) are dissolved in MeOH (30 mL) and exposed to a hydrogen atmospherefor 6 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is filtered through Celite andthe filtrate is evaporated under a vacuum. The residue is purified bymeans of flash chromatography (SiO₂, EA).

Method 2:

Compounds of the general formula VI-B (2 mmol), in which R⁹, R³⁴, R³⁵,U, T and V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,are dissolved in THF (10 mL, 10 mL) and BH₃.S(CH₃)_(2 [)2.0 M in THF, 3mL, 3 equivalents] is added thereto. The reaction mixture is heated toreflux for 8 hours, aq. HCl (2 N) is added thereto and the reactionmixture is again heated to reflux for 30 minutes. The reaction mixtureis combined with aq. sodium hydroxide solution (2 N) and washed with EA.The combined organic phases are washed with a sat. aq. NaCl solution anddried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent is removed under a vacuum andthe residue is purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, differentmixture of dichloromethane and methanol as mobile solvent).

The following compounds were obtained using Method 2.

(6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanamine

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.89 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.33 (d, 1H, J=7.8Hz), 3.88 (s, 2H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 2.83 (m, 2H), 1.75 (m, 2H), 1.55 (m,1H), 1.38 (m, 2H), 1.00 (d, 3H, J=6.6 Hz); MS (FAB) m/z 274 (M+H)

3′-aminomethyl-4-phenyl-6′-trifluoromethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,2′]bipyridinyl-4-carboxylicacid ethyl ester

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.83 (d, 1H, J=7.5 Hz), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.35 (m,3H), 7.26 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz), 4.15 (q, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 4.03 (s, 2H), 3.47(m, 2H), 3.08 (m, 2H), 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.10 (m, 2H), 1.21 (t, 3H, J=7.2Hz); MS (FAB) m/z 408 (M+H)

2. General Method of Preparing Amines of the General Formula V-E

Amines of the general formula V-E are prepared as illustrated in thefollowing Scheme 2.

Stage 1: Synthesis of2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinonitrile

1.3 equivalents of NaH (4.9 g, 0.124 mol) were dissolved in 50 mL DMFunder a nitrogen atmosphere. After the addition of 1.2 equivalents ofcyclohexanethiol (14.2 mL, 0.116 mol), stirring was performed at roomtemperature for 1.5 h. The resultant suspension was cooled to 10° C. and1 equivalent of 2-chloro-6-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinonitrile (20 g, 0.096mol) in 50 mL DMF was added dropwise and stirred for 2 h at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with sat. aq. NH₄Clsoln., diluted with 1 l of water and extracted repeatedly with EA (3×200mL). The combined organic phases were washed with a sat. aq. NaCl soln.,dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated under a vacuum. Purification performedby column chromatography (silica gel, 100-200 mesh, eluent: 2% EA inhexane) resulted in 26 g (93.8%) of product.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.94 (d, 1H, J=7.9 Hz), 7.34 (d, 1H, J=7.9Hz), 4.00 (m, 1H), 1.90-2.14 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.88 (m, 8H)

IR (neat) 2930, 2854, 2232, 1643, 1573, 1447, 1334, 1245, 1186, 1149,1107, 851 cm⁻¹

MS (FAB) m/z 287 (M+H)

Stage 2: Synthesis of(2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methanaminedihydrochloride

The nitrile (26 g, 0.091 mol) was dissolved under a nitrogen atmospherein 600 mL of THF and cooled to 5° C. BH₃-DMS (13.78 g, 0.182 mol) wasadded dropwise and refluxed for 20 h. After cooling to 5° C., thereaction batch was quenched with 100 mL of MeOH and stirred for 15minutes at room temperature. Then di-tert.-butyl dicarbonate (29.7 g,0.136 mol) was added and stirring was performed for 30 min at roomtemperature. After removal of the solvent under a vacuum, the crudeproduct was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, 100-200,mesh, eluent: 10% EA in hexane) and 23.4 g (66%) of product wasobtained.

The crude product was dissolved in 120 mL sat. HCl-dioxane soln. andstirred for 6 h at room temperature. After removal of the solvent undera vacuum, the solid was washed with 10% EA in hexane (2×100 mL) andfiltered out.

Yield: 17 g (88.8%)

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 8.8 (s, 2H), 8.05 (d, 1H), 7.76 (d, 1H),4.01 (s, 1H), 3.86-3.93 (m, 1H), 2.02-2.08 (m, 2H), 1.71-1.74 (m, 2H),1.40-1.60 (m, 6H).

3. General Method of Preparing Amines of the General Formula V-B

Amines of the general formula V-B are prepared as illustrated in thefollowing Scheme 3.

Stage 1: Preparation of Nitriles of the General Formula VI-C

Compounds of the general formula VI-A (1 equivalent), in which R⁹, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, arestirred with an alcohol of the general formula HO—R³⁶ (3.5 equivalents)and DBU [1,8-diaza-bicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene] (3.5 equivalents) inacetonitrile (7 mL per mmol of the compound of formula VI-A) for 12hours at RT. The reaction mixture is extracted repeatedly with EA. Thecombined organic phases are washed with sat. aq. NaCl solution, driedover MgSO₄ and the solvent was removed under a vacuum. The residue ispurified in each case by column chromatography (SiO₂, different mixturesof hexane/EA).

Method 2:

Compounds of the general formula VI-C (2 mmol), in which R⁹, R³⁶, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, aredissolved in THF (10 mL, 10 mL) and BH₃.S(CH₃)_(2 [)2.0 M in THF, 3 mL,3 equivalents] is added thereto. The reaction mixture is heated toreflux for 8 hours, aq. HCl (2 N) is added thereto and the reactionmixture is again heated to reflux for 30 minutes. The reaction mixtureis combined with aq. sodium hydroxide solution (2 N) and washed with EA.The combined organic phases are washed with a sat. aq. NaCl solution anddried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent is removed under a vacuum andthe residue is purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, differentmixture of dichloromethane and methanol as mobile solvent).

Method 3:

Compounds of the general formula VI-C (1.5 mmol), in which R⁹, R³⁶, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, aredissolved in diethyl ether (3 mL) and a suspension of lithium aluminiumhydride (3 mmol) in ether (5 mL) is added slowly dropwise at 0° C. Thereaction mixture is heated to reflux for 4 hours and methanol and then 1N aq. NaOH solution are added slowly dropwise at 0° C. The reactionmixture is diluted with methanol and filtered through Celite. Thesolvent is removed under a vacuum and the residue is purified by columnchromatography (SiO₂, different mixture of dichloromethane and methanolas mobile solvent).

4. General Method of Preparing Amines of the General Formula V-C

Amines of the general formula V-C are prepared as illustrated in thefollowing Scheme 4.

Stage 1: Preparation of Nitrites of the General Formula VI-D

Compounds of the general formula VI-A (1 equivalent), in which R⁹, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, aredissolved with bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride (7 mol %) andcopper(I) iodide (14 mol %) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (7 mL per mmolof compound of the general formula VI-A). After 10 minutes the alkyne ofthe general formula HC≡C—R³² (3.5 equivalents) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (2 equivalents) are added and the reactionmixture is stirred for 12 h at a temperature of between 90 and 110° C.The reaction mixture is filtered through Celite and extracted repeatedlywith EA. The combined organic phases are washed with sat. aq. NaClsolution, dried over MgSO₄ and the solvent was removed under a vacuum.The residue is purified in each case by column chromatography (SiO₂,different mixtures of hexane/EA).

5. General Method of Preparing Amines of the General Formula V-D

Amines of the general formula V-D are prepared as illustrated in thefollowing Scheme 5.

Stage 1: Preparation of Nitrites of the General Formula VI-E

Compounds of the general formula VI-A (1 equivalent), in which R⁹, U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, arestirred with palladium dichloride (5 mol %) and a compound of thegeneral formula R³²—B(OH)₂ (2 equivalents), in which R³² denotes aryl,heteroaryl or cycloalkenyl, in a solvent mixture of toluene/dioxane/2 Naq. sodium carbonate solution (20 mL per 1 mmol compounds of the generalformula VI-A). The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 12 h andfiltered through Celite. The combined organic phases are dried overmagnesium sulfate and the solvent is removed under a vacuum. The residueis purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, different solvent mixturesof hexane and EA).

Stage 2: Method 1

Compounds of the general formula VI-E (5 mmol), in which R⁹, R³², U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3,palladium on carbon (10%, 500 mg) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3mL) are dissolved in MeOH (30 mL) and exposed to a hydrogen atmospherefor 6 hours at RT. The reaction mixture is filtered through Celite andthe filtrate is evaporated under a vacuum. The residue is purified bymeans of flash chromatography (SiO₂, EA).

Method 2:

Compounds of the general formula VI-E (2 mmol), in which R⁹, R³², U, Tand V have the above-stated meanings and m denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, aredissolved in THF (10 mL, 10 mL) and BH₃.S(CH₃)_(2 [)2.0 M in THF, 3 mL,3 equivalents] is added. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux for 8hours, aq. HCl (2 N) is added thereto and the reaction mixture is againheated to reflux for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture is combined withaq. sodium hydroxide solution (2 N) and washed with EA. The combinedorganic phases are washed with a sat. aq. NaCl solution and dried overmagnesium sulfate. The solvent is removed under a vacuum and the residueis purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, different mixture ofdichloromethane and methanol as mobile solvent).

6. General Method of Preparing Carboxylic Acids of the General FormulaVIIa

Carboxylic acids of the general formula VIIIa are prepared asillustrated in the following Scheme 6.

Stage 1:

Compounds of the general formula XI (7 mmol), in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴have the above-stated meanings and R denotes a linear or branched C₁₋₆alkyl residue, are stirred with compounds of the general formulaCI—S(═O)₂—R⁵ (8 mmol), in which R⁵ has the above-stated meaning, for 10minutes at 0° C. and then 3 hours at room temperature in pyridine (10mL). The reaction mixture is redissolved in dichloromethane and aq. HCl(1 N), the organic phase is separated and the solvent removed under avacuum. The residue is in each case crystallised fromdichloromethane/hexane mixtures.

Stage 2:

1 equivalent of the compounds of the general formula XII, in which R¹,R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ have the above-stated meanings and R denotes a linearor branched C₁₋₆ alkyl residue, was added to a suspension of 1.25equivalents NaH (60%) in DMF and the suspension was stirred for 30minutes at room temperature. 3.5 equivalents of a compound of thegeneral formula R⁶—I, in which R⁶ denotes a linear or branched C₁₋₆alkyl residue, were added to this reaction mixture in portions and thesuspension was stirred for 1.5 h at 100° C. and slowly cooled to roomtemperature. After the addition of water, the reaction mixture wasextracted twice with EA, the combined organic phases washed repeatedlywith sat. aq. NaCl-soln., dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The crudeproduct was further processed directly in the next step.

Stage 3:

Compounds of the general formula XIII (5 mmol), in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴,R⁵ and R⁶ have the above-stated meanings and R denotes a linear orbranched C₁₋₆ alkyl residue, are stirred with lithium hydroxidemonohydrate (15 mmol) in a solvent mixture of water and tetrahydrofuran(1:2, 24 mL) for 4 hours at 40° C. The reaction mixture is redissolvedin dichloromethane and water, combined with aq. hydrochloric acid (1 N)and extracted repeatedly with dichloromethane. The combined organicphases are washed with a sat. aq. NaCl solution and dried over sodiumsulfate. The solvent is removed under a vacuum and the residue iscrystallised from ethyl acetate/hexane mixtures.

7. General Method of Reacting Amines of the General Formulae V or X withCarboxylic Acids of the General Formula VII

The acid of the general formula VII (1 equivalent), the amine of thegeneral formulae V or X (1.2 equivalents) and EDCI (1.2 equivalents) arestirred in DMF (10 mmol acid in 20 mL) for 12 hours at RT and then wateris added thereto. The reaction mixture is extracted repeatedly with EA,the aqueous phase is saturated with NaCl and then re-extracted with EA.The combined organic phases are washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid and asat. aq. NaCl soln., dried over MgSO₄ and the solvent is removed under avacuum. The residue is purified by means of flash chromatography (SiO₂,EA/hexane 1:2).

The following exemplary compounds were obtained according to theabove-stated general method.

Exemplary Compound 32-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.47 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.38 (dd, 1H, J=8.1,8.1 Hz), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.07-7.14 (m, 2H), 6.31 (bt, 1H), 4.47(d, 2H, J=5.7 Hz), 3.57 (q, 1H, J=6.9 Hz), 3.23-3.55 (m, 5H), 3.95 (s,3H), 2.81 (m, 2H), 1.73 (m, 2H) 1.52 (d, 3H, J=6.9 Hz), 1.17-1.34 (m,3H), 0.98 (d, 3H, J=6.3 Hz)

IR (KBr) 3245, 2923, 1651, 1508, 1443, 1330, 1222, 1159, 1111 cm⁻¹

MS (FAB) m/z 531 (M+H)

8. General Method of Preparing Compounds of the General Formula I, inwhich R⁶ Denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸

1 equivalent of a compound of the general formula I, in which R⁶ denoteshydrogen, and 1 equivalent of the corresponding freshly distilledcarboxylic anhydride of the general formula R²⁸—C(═O)—O—C(═O)—R²⁸ weredissolved in a small amount of dichloromethane and combined with a fewdrops of H₂SO₄ and stirred for 2 h at 100° C. After cooling to roomtemperature, the reaction mixture was poured onto ice water and theaqueous phase was extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combinedorganic phases were deacidified with soda solution, washed with waterand dried over MgSO₄. After removal of the solvent under a vacuum, thecrude product was purified by column chromatography (silica gel: mesh100-200, eluent: 15% EA in hexane).

Exemplary Compound 1N-(2-fluoro-4-(1-oxo-1-((2-(4-(N-phenylpropionamido)piperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methylamino)propan-2-yl)phenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)propionamide

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.29-7.44 (m, 5H), 7.10-7.19 (m, 5H), 6.24(bt, 1H), 4.78 (m, 1H), 4.38 (d, 2H, J=5.1 Hz), 3.50 (q, 1H, J=6.9 Hz),3.46 (s, 3H), 3.35-3.39 (m, 2H), 2.97-3.04 (m, 2H), 1.89-1.96 (m, 4H)1.45-1.65 (m, 9H), 0.99-1.10 (m, 6H)

IR (KBr) 2934, 1716, 1644, 1592, 1504, 1415, 1361, 1277, 1160, 963, 915,732 cm⁻¹

MS (FAB) m/z 706 (M+H)

Exemplary Compound 22-(3-fluoro-4-(N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.42 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 7.31 (dd, 1H, J=8.1,8.1 Hz), 7.17-7.25 (m, 3H), 6.37 (bt, 1H), 4.46 (m, 2H), 3.57 (q, 1H,J=6.9 Hz), 3.43 (s, 3H), 3.31 (m, 2H), 2.82 (m, 2H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 1.72(m, 2H) 1.54 (d, 3H, J=7.2 Hz), 1.21-1.29 (m, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H, J=6.6Hz)

IR (KBr) 3265, 2933, 1652, 1519, 1433, 1327, 1223, 1161, 1105 cm⁻¹

MS (FAB) m/z 559 (M+H)

The following additional illustrative example compounds were obtainedusing the above-described methods.

 [4] N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,  [5](S)-N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,  [6](S)-N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethyl-sulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,  [7]N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethyl-sulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,  [8]N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,  [9]2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoro-methyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide, [10]N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide, [11]N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethyl-sulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide, [12]2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoro- methyl)benzyl)propanamide,[13] N-(2-(cyclohexylthio)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfon- amido)phenyl)propanamide, [14]N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1- yl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide, [15]N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phe- nyl)propanamide,

The following Table 1 states the measured mass spectrometry values forthe additional example compounds.

Example Compound [M + H] 4 421 5 421 6 435 7 548 8 562 9 545 10 519 11536 12 530 13 547 14 518 15 535

Pharmacological Data

The affinity of the compounds according to the invention for thevanilloid receptor 1 (VR1/TRPV1 receptor) was determined as describedabove (Pharmacological methods I or II).

The compounds according to the invention of the above-stated formula Iexhibit excellent affinity for the VR1/TRPV1 receptor (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Compound IC₅₀ (human) according to K_(i) (rat) K_(i) (human)[nM] Example Capsaicin [nM] Capsaicin [nM] after pH stimulus 1 19.5 69.1524.5 2 2.2 11.9 947 3 20 55.5 16% @ 10 μM; 8% @ 5 μM 4 50.4 Ne 22% @ 10μM; 0% @ 5 μM 6 66.8 Ne 21% @ 10 μM; 0% @ 5 μM 7 30.8 48.1 20% @ 10 μM;0% @ 5 μM 9 63.8 22.7 46% @ 10 μM; 11% @ 5 μM 10 2.8 27.7 11% @ 10 μM;0% @ 5 μM 11 16.8 56% @ 5 μM; ne 33% @ 1 μM; 0% @ 0.1 μM 12 5.0 7.8 43%@ 10 μM; 0% @ 5 μM 13 5.2 33.1 ne 14 3 13.1 43% @ 10 μM; 9% @ 5 μM 157.6 18.3 30% @ 10 μM; 6% @ 5 μM; 0% @ 1 μM ne means in each case “noeffect”, i.e. no response was observed. The value after the sign “@”indicates the concentration at which inhibition (in percent) wasdetermined in each case.

The value after the sign “@” indicates the concentration at whichinhibition (in percent) was determined in each case.

The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely toillustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Sincemodifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit andsubstance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, theinvention should be construed broadly to include all variations withinthe scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

1. A compound corresponding to formula I:

wherein X represents O, S or N—C≡N; N is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R¹, R², R³ andR⁴ each independently represent H; F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂;—OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H;—S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵;—C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷; —S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸; —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —C(═O)—R²²;—S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴ or a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphaticC₁₋₁₀ residue; R⁵ represents —NH₂; —NHR²⁵; —NR²⁶R²⁷ or a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; R⁶ represents —C(═O)—R²⁸ or alinear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; R⁷ and R⁸each independently represent hydrogen; a linear or branched, saturatedor unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstitutedaliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted 5- to 14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, whichoptionally may be fused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, orwhich optionally may be attached via a linear or branched,unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group orC₂₋₆ alkenylene group or C₂₋₆ alkynylene group, or both; or anunsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered cycloaliphaticresidue optionally comprising at least one heteroatom as a ring member;with the proviso that R⁷ and R⁸ are not both hydrogen; or R⁷ and R⁸together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form asaturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-membered cycloaliphatic residue; Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes N; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes N; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes N; U denotes N; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes N; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes N; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; R⁹represents F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CF₃; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH;—C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH;—NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵; —C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷;—S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸; —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —C(═O)—R²²; —S(═O)—R²³;—S(═O)₂—R²⁴; or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀residue; or an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted, monosubstitutedor polysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered cycloaliphaticresidue optionally comprising at least one heteroatom as a ring member;R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³ andR²⁴ each independently represent a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphaticC₁₋₁₀ residue; or an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-memberedcycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least one heteroatom asa ring member, wherein said cycloaliphatic residue optionally may befused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, or optionally may beattached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylenegroup, or both; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted5- to 14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which optionally may befused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, or optionally may beattached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylenegroup, or both; R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ each independently represent a linearor branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; R²⁸ represents a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹ eachindependently represent H; F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CF₃; —CN; —NH₂;—OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H;—S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—NHR¹⁵;—C(═O)—NR¹⁶R¹⁷; —S(═O)₂—NHR¹⁸; —S(═O)₂—NR¹⁹R²⁰; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —C(═O)—R²²;—S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴; or a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphaticC₁₋₁₀ residue; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted5- to 14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which optionally may befused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, or optionally may beattached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or C₂₋₆alkynylene group, or both; R³² represents H; F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂;—CF₃; —CF₂Cl; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR³³; —NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶;—SR³⁷; —C(═O)—NHR³⁸; —C(═O)—NR³⁹R⁴⁰; —S(═O)₂—NHR⁴¹; —S(═O)₂—NR⁴²R⁴³;—C(═O)—OR⁴⁴; —C(═O)—R⁴⁵; —S(═O)—R⁴⁶; —S(═O)₂—R⁴⁷; —C(═NH)—NH₂;—C(═NH)—NH—R⁴⁸; —N═C(NH₂)₂; —N═C(NHR⁴⁹)(NHR⁵⁰); or a linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; or an unsaturated or saturated,unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-or 9-membered cycloaliphatic residue optionally comprising at least oneheteroatom as a ring member, wherein said cycloaliphatic residue isattached to the parent structure via a carbon atom in the ring of thecycloaliphatic residue and optionally may be fused with a saturated orunsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted mono- orpolycyclic ring system, or optionally may be attached via a linear orbranched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted C₁₋₆alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or C₂₋₆ alkynylene group, orboth; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted 5- to14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which optionally may be fusedwith a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, or optionally may beattached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆ alkenylene group or C₂₋₆alkynylene group, or both; R³³, R³⁴, R³⁵, R³⁶, R³⁷, R³⁸, R³⁹, R⁴⁰, R⁴¹,R⁴², R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁸, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ each independentlyrepresent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; or anunsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered cycloaliphaticresidue optionally comprising at least one heteroatom as a ring member,wherein said cycloaliphatic residue optionally may be fused with asaturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, or optionally may beattached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylenegroup, or both; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted5- to 14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, which may be fused with asaturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system and/or be attached via alinear or branched, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstitutedC₁₋₆ alkylene group or 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylene group; or R³⁴ andR³⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form asaturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted heterocycloaliphatic residue, ora 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-membered heterocycloaliphatic residuesubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residues R⁵¹ and optionally comprisingone or more further heteroatom(s) as ring member(s), wherein saidheterocycloaliphatic residue optionally may be fused with a saturated orunsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstituted mono- orpolycyclic ring system; R⁵¹ represents —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or a linear orbranched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴ eachindependently represent —C(═O)—R⁵⁵; or a linear or branched, saturatedor unsaturated, unsubstituted, monosubstituted or polysubstitutedaliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; or an unsubstituted, monosubstituted orpolysubstituted 5- to 14-membered aryl or heteroaryl residue, whichoptionally may be fused with a saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted mono- or polycyclic ring system, oroptionally may be attached via a linear or branched, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene group or C₂₋₆alkenylene group or C₂₋₆ alkynylene group, or both; and R⁵⁵ represents alinear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted,monosubstituted or polysubstituted aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residue; or a saltthereof; wherein said aliphatic C₁₋₁₀ residues optionally may besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OH,—NH₂, —SH, —O(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —S(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —NH(C₁₋₅-alkyl),—N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl,—O-phenyl, phenyl, —OCF₃ and —SCF₃; said 2- to 6-membered heteroalkylenegroups, C₁₋₆ alkylene groups and C₂₋₆ alkenylene groups and C₂₋₆alkynylene groups optionally may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8 or 9 substituents independently selected from the group consistingof F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —NO₂, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —O(C₁₋₅-alkyl),—S(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —NH(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)(C₁₋₅-alkyl), —OCF₃ and—SCF₃; said heteroalkylene groups optionally may comprise 1, 2 or 3heteroatom(s) independently selected from the group consisting ofoxygen, sulfur and nitrogen (NH) as chain link(s); said(hetero)cycloaliphatic residues optionally may each be substituted with1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of —C₁₋₆-alkylene-OH, ═CH₂, —O—C₁₋₅-alkylene-oxetanyl,—C₁₋₅-alkylene-O—C₁₋₅-alkylene-oxetanyl, —CH₂—NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl,—CH₂—N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —N[—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl]-phenyl, —CH₂—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl,oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH,—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH,—S—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—OH,—C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —NH-phenyl,—N(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)-phenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl,(4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl, thiophenyl,phenethyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, —(CH₂)— pyridinyl, pyridinyl,—O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein the cyclic moiety ofthe oxetanyl, (4,5)-dihydroisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, (1,2,5)-thiadiazolyl,thiophenyl, phenethyl, —N[—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl]-phenyl, —NH-phenyl,—N(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)-phenyl, —(CH₂)-pyridinyl, pyridinyl, —O-phenyl,—O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl residues optionally may be substituted with1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂, —C₁₋₅ alkyl,—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl; said(hetero)cycloaliphatic residues optionally may comprise 1, 2 or 3additional heteroatom(s) independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur; the rings of theaforementioned mono- or polycyclic ring systems each optionally may besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selectedfrom the group consisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,—CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH,—S—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—OH,—C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —O-phenyl,—O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl, wherein the cyclic moiety of the—O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl residues optionally may besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selectedfrom the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH, —CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂,—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, phenyl and —O-benzyl; therings of the aforementioned mono- or polycyclic ring systems each are5-, 6- or 7-membered and may each optionally comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5heteroatom(s) as ring member(s), wherein said heteroatoms areindependently selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen andsulfur; said aryl or heteroaryl residues each optionally may besubstituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selectedfrom the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH,—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C₁₋₅alkyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂,—NH—S(═O)₂—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—H,—C(═O)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—C₁₋₅-alkyl,—C(═O)—N-(—C₁₋₅-alkyl)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl,wherein the cyclic moiety of the —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzylresidues optionally may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, —OH,—CF₃, —SF₅, —CN, —NO₂, —C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃,phenyl and —O-benzyl, and said heteroaryl residues each optionally maycomprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 heteroatom(s) as ring member(s) independentlyselected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.
 2. Acompound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is in the form ofan isolated stereoisomer.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, whereinsaid compound is in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers in any mixingratio.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is inthe form of a racemic mixture.
 5. A compound according to claim 1,wherein: X represents O; n is 0, 1 or 2; R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ eachindependently represent H; F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH;—SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂; —C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H;—S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴ or aresidue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃,—CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅,—CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, n-propyl,—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl andtert.-butyl; R⁵ represents —NH₂; —NHR²⁵; —NR²⁶R²⁷; or an alkyl residueselected from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl; R⁶represents —C(═O)—R²⁸ or a residue selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN,—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅,—CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN,n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN,—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃),—CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl,4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl,3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl,3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl; R⁷ and R⁸ each independentlyrepresent hydrogen or an alkyl residue selected from the groupconsisting of —CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, methyl,ethyl and n-propyl; or a residue selected from the group consisting ofphenyl, naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl,pyranyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl,thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl,indazolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl, which optionallymay be attached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃ group, and which maybe unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl,Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃,—NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; or a residue selected from the groupconsisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl andcycloheptyl; with the proviso that R⁷ and R⁸ are not both hydrogen; orR⁷ and R⁸ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached forma residue selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotesC—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotesN; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes N; U denotesC—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes N; U denotesN; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes N; U denotesC—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotesN; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotesC—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; R⁹ represents F; Cl; Br; I;—SF₅; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴; or a residue selected fromthe group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F,—CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl,—CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl,—CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃,—CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) andtert.-butyl; or a residue selected from the group consisting ofcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl, which optionally may be substituted with1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R²¹ and R²³and R²⁴ each independently represent a residue selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F,—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃,—C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl,—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃,—CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃), —CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl,(2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl,—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl,2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl; or a residue selectedfrom the group consisting of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl,oxetanyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl,tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl andthiomorpholinyl, which optionally may be attached via a —CH₂—O—,—CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or—(CH₂)₃— group, and which may be unsubstituted or optionally substitutedwith 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of oxo (═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅,—C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅,—C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃; or a residue selected from thegroup consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl,thiazolyl, oxazolyl and isoxazolyl, which optionally may be attached viaa —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and which may be unsubstituted oroptionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl; R²⁵, R²⁶ andR²⁷ each independently represent an alkyl residue selected from thegroup consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl; R²⁸ represents a residueselected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂,—CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CN, —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl,—CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl,—CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl,5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,(3,3)-dimethylbutyl, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyland 3-pentenyl; R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹ each independently represent H; F; Cl;Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³;—SR¹⁴; —C(═O)—OR²¹; —S(═O)—R²³; —S(═O)₂—R²⁴; or a residue selected fromthe group consisting of —CH₂—OH, methyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂,—CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅, —CH₂—CCl₃,—CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃,—CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl, ora phenyl residue, which may be unsubstituted or optionally substitutedwith 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅,—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃,—S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; R³² representsH; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —C(═O)—NH₂; —S(═O)₂—NH₂;—C(═O)—NH—OH; —C(═O)—OH; —C(═O)—H; —S(═O)₂—OH; —NHR³³; —NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶;—SR³⁷; —C(═O)—OR⁴⁴; —S(═O)—R⁴⁶; —S(═O)₂—R⁴⁷; —C(═NH)—NH₂;—C(═NH)—NH—R⁴⁸; —N═C(NH₂)₂; —N═C(NHR⁴⁹)(NHR⁵⁰); or a residue selectedfrom the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl, whichis attached via a carbon atom of the respective ring of the saidresidues or via a —(CH═CH)—, —C≡C— or —C≡C—CH₂— group to the parentstructure and may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2,3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the group consistingof —CN, —CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂, —CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—NH—C₂H₅,—N—[C(═O)—C₂H₅]-phenyl, —N—[C(═O)—CH₃]-phenyl, oxo (═O), thioxo (═S),—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH,—S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,—C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—OH,—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃; ora residue selected from the group consisting of (1,3)-benzodioxolyl,(1,4)-benzodioxanyl, tetrazolyl,(2,3)-dihydrothieno[3,4-b)][1,4]dioxinyl, benzo[b]furanyl, phenyl,naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl,triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, thiazolyl,oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, indazolyl,quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl, which optionally may beattached via a —(CH═CH)—, —C≡C—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group,and may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl,Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃,—NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂,—S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅,—C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃,—N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—S(═O)₂—CH₃,—NH—S(═O₂)—C₂H₅, —NH—S(═O)₂—CH(CH₃)₂, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅,—NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅,—C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl andbenzyl; R³³, R³⁴, R³⁵, R³⁶, R³⁷, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁶, R⁴⁷, R⁴⁸, R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ eachindependently represent a residue selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CBr₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂Cl, —CCl₂F, —CH₂—CN,—CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CF₃, —CH₂—SF₃, ethyl, —CF₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CF₃, —C₂F₅,—CH₂—CCl₃, —CH₂—CBr₃, —CHF—CF₂Cl, —CF₂—CF₂Cl, —CFCl—CF₂Cl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN,n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN,—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—SF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—OCF₃, —CH(CH₃)(O—CH₃),—CH(CH₃)(S—CH₃), n-butyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl,4-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, 5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl,3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl,3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and 3-pentenyl; or a residue selected from thegroup consisting of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl, whichoptionally may be attached via a —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—,—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group, and which maybe unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents independently selected from the group consisting of oxo(═O), thioxo (═S), —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃,—O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂ and—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃; or a residue selected from the group consisting ofphenyl, naphthyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl,pyranyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl andisoxazolyl, wherein the residue optionally may be attached via a—(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group and may be unsubstituted oroptionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅,—OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃,—S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅, —S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃, —C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅, —NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂,—N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃, —NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃, —C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃,—C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃, —C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂,—C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl, phenyl and benzyl; or R³⁴ and R³⁵together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form aresidue selected from the group consisting of3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 6-aza-spiro[2.5]octyl,3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 6-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]heptyl,8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 1-oxa-2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-enyl,azocanyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, (1,2,3,6)-tetrahydropyridinyl,(4,5,6,7)-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl andthiomorpholinyl, wherein the heterocycloaliphatic moiety may beunsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residuesR⁵¹; R⁵¹ represents —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or an alkyl residue selected fromthe group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl; R⁵², R⁵³ andR⁵⁴ each independently represent —C(═O)—R⁵⁵; or an alkyl residueselected from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, and isobutyl; ora residue selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl,thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, triazolyl,pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl and isoxazolyl, wherein theresidue optionally may be attached via a —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃—group and may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4or 5 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of F,Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂,—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH₂, —NO₂, —O—CF₃, —S—CF₃, —SH, —S—CH₃, —S—C₂H₅,—S—CH(CH₃)₂, —S—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, —C(═O)—OH, —C(═O)—O—CH₃,—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—O—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —NH—CH₃, —NH—C₂H₅,—NH—C(CH₃)₃, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂, —N(CH₃)(C₂H₅), —NH—C(═O)—O—CH₃,—NH—C(═O)—O—C₂H₅, —NH—C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—H, —C(═O)—CH₃,—C(═O)—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—CH(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—C(CH₃)₃, —C(═O)—NH₂, —C(═O)—NH—CH₃,—C(═O)—NH—C₂H₅, —C(═O)—N(CH₃)₂, —C(═O)—N(C₂H₅)₂, —O-phenyl, —O-benzyl,phenyl and benzyl; and R⁵⁵ represents an alkyl residue selected from thegroup consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, and isobutyl; or a salt thereof.
 6. Acompound according to claim 1, wherein: X represents O; n is 1; R¹, R³and R⁴ each independently represent H; F; Cl; Br; I; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²;—OR¹³; —SR¹⁴ or a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,—CF₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, ethyl, n-propyl, —CF₂—CF₂—CF₃, —CF(CF₃)₂, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl; R² represents H; F; Cl;Br; I or methyl; R⁵ represents an alkyl residue selected from the groupconsisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, and isobutyl; R⁶ represents —C(═O)—R²⁸or a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CH₂—CN,ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl,3-pentyl, n-heptyl, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyland 3-pentenyl; R⁷ represents an alkyl residue selected from the groupconsisting of —CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, methyl,ethyl and n-propyl; or a residue selected from the group consisting ofcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; R⁸represents hydrogen; or R⁷ and R⁸ together with the carbon atom to whichthey are attached form a residue selected from the group consisting ofcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotes C—R³²; or Tdenotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and W denotes C—R³²; R⁹represents F; Cl; Br; I; —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —O—CCl₃; —O—CBr₃; —O—CHF₂;—O—CH₂F; —O—CF₂Cl; —O—CCl₂F; —O—CF₂—CH₃; —S—CF₃; —S—CCl₃; —S—CBr₃;—S—CHF₂; —S—CH₂F; —S—CF₂Cl; —S—CCl₂F; —S—CF₂—CH₃; or a residue selectedfrom the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, —C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) andtert.-butyl; R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ and R¹⁴ each independently represent aresidue selected from the group consisting of methyl, —CF₃, —CHF₂,—CH₂F, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; R²⁸ represents a residue selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-heptyl, 4-heptyl, n-octyl,n-nonyl, 5-nonyl, (2,6)-dimethyl-hept-4-yl, 3-methylbutyl, n-hexyl,(3,3)-dimethylbutyl, ethenyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyland 3-pentenyl; R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹ each independently represent H; F; Cl;Br; I; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —SH; —NHR¹⁰; —NR¹¹R¹²; —OR¹³; —SR¹⁴;or a residue selected from the group consisting of —CH₂—OH, methyl,—CF₃, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl andtert.-butyl; R³² represents H; —SF₅; —NO₂; —CN; —NH₂; —OH; —; —NHR³³;—NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶; —SR³⁷; or a residue selected from the group consistingof cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl,imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyland thiomorpholinyl, which is attached via a carbon atom of the ring ofthe residue to the parent structure, and which may be unsubstituted oroptionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of —CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—N(C₂H₅)₂,—CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—NH—C₂H₅, —N—[C(═O)—C₂H₅]-phenyl,—N—[C(═O)—CH₃]-phenyl, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl; or a residue selected from thegroup consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl,pyrazinyl, pyranyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl,oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl and pyrimidinyl, whichoptionally may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN,—CF₃, —SF₅, —OH, —O—CH₃, —O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, —O—CF₃,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; R³³, R³⁴, R³⁵, R³⁶ and R³⁷ each independentlyrepresent a residue selected from the group consisting of methyl,—CH₂—O—CH₃, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl, 3-pentyl, n-hexyl, (3,3)-dimethylbutyl, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—O—C₂H₅ and —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃; or a residue selected from thegroup consisting of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenyl, cyclopropyl, oxetanyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl,piperazinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, azocanyl and thiomorpholinyl, whichmay in each case optionally be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents mutually independently selected from the group consistingof methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl,tert.-butyl, n-pentyl; or R³⁴ and R³⁵ together with the nitrogen atom towhich they are attached form a residue selected from the groupconsisting of 3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl, 6-aza-spiro[2.5]octyl,3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 6-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]heptyl,8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 1-oxa-2,8-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-enyl,azocanyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, (1,2,3,6)-tetrahydropyridinyl,(4,5,6,7)-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridinyl, pyrrolidinyl,piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, azepanyl, diazepanyl andthiomorpholinyl, wherein the heterocycloaliphatic moiety may beunsubstituted or optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residuesR⁵¹; R⁵¹ represents —NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or an alkyl residue selected fromthe group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl; R⁵², R⁵³ andR⁵⁴ each independently represent —C(═O)—R⁵⁵; or an alkyl residueselected from the group consisting of —CF₃, —CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl and isobutyl; or aresidue selected from the group consisting of phenyl and naphthyl,wherein said phenyl or naphthyl residue optionally may be attached via a—(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— group, and may be unsubstituted oroptionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —CF₃, —O—CH₃,—O—C₂H₅, —O—CH(CH₃)₂, —O—C(CH₃)₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; and R⁵⁵represents an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of —CF₃,—CH₂—CF₃, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl,sec.-butyl, and isobutyl; or a salt thereof.
 7. A compound according toclaim 1, wherein: X represents O; n is 1; R¹, R³ and R⁴ each representH; R² represents F; Cl or Br; R⁵ represents an alkyl residue selectedfrom the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl; R⁶represents —C(═O)—R²⁸ or a residue selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, —CH₂—CN, ethyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-propyl, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, n-butyl,—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CN, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl and n-pentyl; R⁷represents an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH, isopropyl,n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, methyl, ethyl and n-propyl; R⁸ representshydrogen; T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes N, and W denotesC—R³²; or T denotes C—R²⁹; U denotes C—R³⁰; V denotes C—R³¹, and Wdenotes C—R³²; R⁹ represents —SF₅; —O—CF₃; —CF₃; —CHF₂; —CH₂F;—C(CH₃)₂(CH₂OH) or tert.-butyl; R²⁸ represents a residue selected fromthe group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, sec.-butyl,isobutyl, tert.-butyl, ethenyl and propenyl; R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹ eachrepresent H; R³² represents H; —NHR³³; —NR³⁴R³⁵; —OR³⁶ or —SR³⁷; R³³,R³⁶ and R³⁷ each independently represent a residue selected from thegroup consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl andcycloheptyl, which optionally may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5substituents independently selected from the group consisting of methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl,n-pentyl; R³⁴ and R³⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they areattached form a residue selected from the group consisting ofpyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl and azepanyl,wherein the heterocycloaliphatic moiety may be unsubstituted oroptionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residues R⁵¹; R⁵¹ represents—NHR⁵², —NR⁵³R⁵⁴ or an alkyl residue selected from the group consistingof methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyland isobutyl; R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁴ each independently represent —C(═O)—R⁵⁵;or an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl, and isobutyl; ora phenyl residue, wherein the phenyl residue may be substituted with 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of F, Cl, Br, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl; and R⁵⁵represents an alkyl residue selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, n-butyl, sec.-butyl,and isobutyl; or a salt thereof.
 8. A compound according to claim 3,wherein said compound corresponds to formula Ia:

wherein V denotes N or CH; and R⁶, R⁹, R³⁴ and R³⁵ have the respectivemeanings given in claim 3; or a salt thereof.
 9. A compound according toclaim 4, wherein said compound corresponds to formula Ia:

wherein V denotes N or CH; and R⁶, R⁹, R³⁴ and R³⁵ have the respectivemeanings given in claim 4; or a salt thereof.
 10. A compound accordingto claim 3, wherein said compound corresponds to formula Ib:

wherein V denotes N or CH; and R⁶, R⁹ and R³⁷ have the respectivemeanings given in claim 3; or a salt thereof.
 11. A compound accordingto claim 4, wherein said compound corresponds to formula Ib:

wherein V denotes N or CH; and R⁶, R⁹ and R³⁷ have the respectivemeanings given in claim 4; or a salt thereof.
 12. A compound accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from the group consistingof: [1]N-(2-fluoro-4-(1-oxo-1-((2-(4-(N-phenylpropionamido)piperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoro-methyl)pyridin-3-yl)methylamino)propan-2-yl)phenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)propionamide,[2]2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,[3]2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,[4]N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[5](S)—N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[6](S)—N-(4-tert.-butylbenzyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,[7]N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[8]N-((2-(cyclohexylthio)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)propanamide,[9]2-(4-(N-ethylmethylsulfonamido)-3-fluorophenyl)-N-((2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)propanamide,[10]N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[11]N-((6-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[12]2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)-N-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)propanamide,[13]N-(2-(cyclohexylthio)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,[14]N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,and [15]N-(4-tert.-butyl-2-(cyclohexylthio)benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-(N-methylmethylsulfonamido)phenyl)propanamide,or a salt thereof.
 13. A compound according to claim 1, wherein, in aFLIPR assay with CHO K1 cells transfected with the human gene VR1, saidcompound at a concentration of less than 2000 nM, brings about a 50%displacement of capsaicin which is present in a concentration of 100 nM.14. A compound according to claim 13, wherein said compound at aconcentration of less than 300 nM, brings about a 50% displacement ofcapsaicin which is present in a concentration of 100 nM.
 15. A compoundaccording to claim 13, wherein said compound at a concentration of lessthan 75 nM, brings about a 50% displacement of capsaicin which ispresent in a concentration of 100 nM.
 16. A compound according to claim13, wherein said compound at a concentration of less than 10 nM, bringsabout a 50% displacement of capsaicin which is present in aconcentration of 100 nM.
 17. A method of producing a compound accordingto claim 1, said method comprising: reacting a compound corresponding toformula II:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V, and W have the respective meanings given in claim1, m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and R represents hydrogen or a linear or branchedC₁₋₆ alkyl residue, in a reaction medium, in the presence of at leastone reducing agent, to yield a compound corresponding to formula III:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V, W and m have the respective meanings given above,and optionally isolating or purifying the compound of formula III;reacting the compound corresponding to formula III in a reaction mediumin the presence of diphenylphosphoryl azide or HN₃ to yield a compoundcorresponding to formula IV:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V, W and m have the respective meanings given above,and optionally isolating or purifying the compound of formula IV;reacting the compound of formula IV in a reaction medium in the presenceof a reducing agent, or in a reaction medium in the presence of acatalyst and of hydrogen or hydrazine, or in a reaction medium in thepresence of triphenylphosphine to yield a compound corresponding toformula V:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V, W and m have the respective meanings given above;or reacting a compound corresponding to formula VI:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V, W and m have the respective meanings given above,in a reaction medium, in the presence of a catalyst under a hydrogenatmosphere, optionally in the presence of an acid, or in the presence ofat least one reducing agent selected from the group consisting ofBH₃.S(CH₃)₂, lithium aluminium hydride and sodium borohydride,optionally in the presence of NiCl₂, to yield a compound correspondingto formula V or a salt thereof; and optionally isolating or purifyingthe compound of formula V; reacting the compound corresponding toformula V with a compound corresponding to formula VII:

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the respective meaningsgiven in claim 1, and R⁶ may additionally represent hydrogen, in areaction medium, optionally in the presence of a coupling agent, andoptionally in the presence of a base; or with a compound correspondingto formula VIII:

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the respective meaningsgiven above, and LG denotes a leaving group, in a reaction medium, andoptionally in the presence of at least one base, to yield a compoundcorresponding to formula Ih:

wherein T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have therespective meanings given in claim 1; R⁶ may additionally representhydrogen, and n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, and optionally isolating or purifyingthe compound of formula Ih; and optionally reacting the compound offormula Ih in a reaction medium with a compound corresponding to formulaIX:

wherein each of the phenyl residues is substituted with 1 or 2substituents independently selected from the group consisting ofmethoxy, phenoxy, Cl, methyl and Br, or with phosphorus pentasulfide, toyield a compound corresponding to formula Ik:

wherein T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and n have therespective meanings given above, optionally isolating or purifying thecompound of formula Ik; and—optionally reacting a compound correspondingto formula Io:

wherein X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and n have therespective meanings given above, in a reaction medium, in the presenceof a compound corresponding to the formulaR²⁸—C(═O)—O—C(═O)—R²⁸ wherein R²⁸ has the meaning given in claim 1, toyield a compound of formula I, wherein X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴,R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have the respective meanings given in claim 1; R⁶denotes —C(═O)—R²⁸, and n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, and optionally isolating orpurifying the compound of formula I.
 18. A method according to claim 17,wherein the compound of formula II is reacted in the presence of atleast one reducing agent selected from the group consisting of sodiumhydride, sodium, potassium hydride, lithium aluminium hydride, sodiumborohydride and di(isobutyl)aluminium hydride; or wherein the compoundof formula IV is reacted in the presence of at least one reducing agentselected from the group consisting of sodium hydride, potassium hydride,lithium aluminium hydride, sodium borohydride and di(isobutyl)aluminiumhydride; or wherein the compound of formula IV is reacted in thepresence of a platinum or palladium catalyst; or wherein a compoundcorresponding to formula VI is reacted in the presence of a palladium orplatinum catalyst and of hydrochloric acid; or wherein LG denotes achlorine or bromine atom; or wherein each of the phenyl groups in thecompound of formula IX is substituted by 1 or 2 phenoxy or methoxyresidues.
 19. A method of producing a compound according to claim 1,said method comprising: reacting a compound corresponding to formula X:

wherein R⁹, U, T, V and W have the respective meanings given in claim 1,with a compound corresponding to formula VII:

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the respective meaningsgiven in claim 1, and R⁶ may additionally represent hydrogen, in areaction medium, optionally in the presence of a coupling agent, andoptionally in the presence of a base, or with a compound correspondingto formula VIII:

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ have the respective meaningsgiven above, and LG denotes a leaving group, in a reaction medium, andoptionally in the presence of a base, to yield a compound correspondingto formula Im:

wherein T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have therespective meanings given above, and optionally isolating or purifyingthe compound of formula Im; and optionally reacting a compoundcorresponding to formula Im in a reaction medium with a compoundcorresponding to formula IX:

wherein each of the phenyl residues is substituted with 1 or 2substituents independently selected from the group consisting ofmethoxy, phenoxy, Cl, methyl and Br, or with phosphorus pentasulfide, toyield a compound corresponding to formula In:

wherein T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have therespective meanings given above, and optionally isolating or purifyingthe compound of formula In; and optionally reacting a compoundcorresponding to formula Ip:

wherein X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have therespective meanings given above, in a reaction medium and in thepresence of a compound corresponding to the formula:R²⁸—C(═O)—O—C(═O)—R²⁸ wherein R²⁸ has the meaning given in claim 1, toyield a compound of formula I, wherein X, T, U, V, W, R¹, R², R³, R⁴,R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ have the meanings given above and R⁶ represents—C(═O)—R²⁸, and optionally isolating or purifying the compound offormula I.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein LG denotes achlorine or bromine atom; or wherein each of the phenyl groups in thecompound of formula IX is substituted with 1 or 2 phenoxy or methoxyresidues; or wherein each of the phenyl groups in the compound offormula IX is substituted with a methoxy residue in the para position.21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according toclaim 1, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier orpharmaceutical auxiliary substance.
 22. A method of treating orinhibiting pain in a subject, said method comprising administering tosaid subject a pharmacologically effective amount of a compoundaccording to claim
 1. 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein saidpain is selected from the group consisting of acute pain, chronic pain,neuropathic pain, visceral pain, joint pain, hyperalgesia, allodynia,causalgia and migraine.
 24. A method of treating or inhibiting adisorder or condition selected from the group consisting of depression,neuropathy, nerve injury, neurodegenerative diseases, cognitivedysfunction, and epilepsy in a subject, said method comprisingadministering to said subject a pharmacologically effective amount of acompound according to claim
 1. 25. A method according to claim 24,wherein said disorder or condition is a neurodegenerative diseaseselected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer'sdisease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea; or a cognitivedysfunction selected from the group consisting of cognitive deficiencystates and memory disorders.
 26. A method of treating or inhibiting adisorder or condition selected from the group consisting of airwaydiseases, coughing; urinary incontinence; overactive bladder, diseasesof or injuries to the gastrointestinal tract, duodenal ulcers, gastriculcers, irritable bowel syndrome, strokes, eye irritation; skinirritation; neurotic skin conditions, allergic skin diseases, psoriasis,vitiligo, herpes simplex, inflammation, diarrhea, pruritus,osteoporosis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases, food intakedisorders, dependency on a pharmaceutical substance, abuse of apharmaceutical substance, withdrawal symptoms associated with dependencyon a pharmaceutical substance, development of tolerance towards apharmaceutical substance, dependency on drugs, drug abuse, withdrawalsymptoms associated with dependency on drugs, dependency on alcohol,alcohol abuse, withdrawal symptoms associated with dependency onalcohol; or for effecting dieresis, antinatriuresis, influencing thecardiovascular system, increasing vigilance, treating wounds or burns,treating severed nerves, increasing libido, modulating locomotoractivity, anxiolysis, local anaesthesia or inhibiting undesiredside-effects triggered by the administration of vanilloid receptor 1agonists in a subject, said method comprising administering to saidsubject a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound according toclaim
 1. 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein said disorder orcondition is an airway disease selected from the group consisting ofasthma, bronchitis and pulmonary inflammation; or said disorder orcondition is an inflammation selected from the group consisting ofinflammation of the intestines, the eyes, the bladder, the skin and thenasal mucosa; or said disorder or condition is a food intake disorderselected from the group consisting of bulimia, cachexia, anorexia andobesity; or said disorder or condition is development of a tolerancetowards natural or synthetic opioids; or said disorder or condition isan undesired side effect selected from the group consisting ofhyperthermia, high blood pressure and constriction of bronchial tubes,triggered by administration of a vanilloid receptor 1 agonist selectedfrom the group consisting of capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, olvanil,arvanil, SDZ-249665, SDZ-249482, nuvanil and capsavanil.